Four K Stables Horse Camping Trip in Mississippi
May 26, 2013
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It was Tuesday morning and we were a little apprehensive about our next place to ride. We were getting into the deep south and kept losing cell service—‘Four K Stables’ sounded like a back-woods kind of place. We loaded the horses into the horse trailer and hitched up the 5th wheel RV and left Faye Whittemore Farms which was a lovely place.
We headed southwest toward Mississippi and our next destination. 4 hours of driving more highways—with losing cell service for long distances—was making us a bit wary. We got off the highway and onto some really pretty back roads. Four K Stables is on a side road right in a town. It’s an unbelievably gorgeous barn with a small campground and a round pen for horses. The owner looked at us and said “Not what you expected, right?” OMG no! The barn has 10 12×12’ stalls with the sliding doors and feed bins. Huge fans in the back of the barn to let the hot air out. Everything was polished and spotless—not the ‘rural hick cowboy’ feeling we were expecting!
We backed the 5th wheel RV into a campsite complete with water, electric and sewer. Got the horses settled in the round pen that was full of clover that they promptly ate. The owner laughed and said that he didn’t have to mow it now. We always give the horses a break the day we travel—let them enjoy the new scenery and relax. We set up our chairs and Mike grilled hamburgers for dinner. We sat and watched the sun set and then put the horses into their stalls for the evening. The stalls themselves were tall as well as large, I remember Bandit getting upset he couldn’t see Nugget in the other stall. Even warmbloods would be comfortable in these stalls!
Four-K-Stables is located adjacent to the Long Leaf Equestrian Trail. The Long Leaf Trace has a 23-mile equestrian trail and 39-mile biking and walking trail. This is where we went after we tacked up and headed out first thing the next morning. Riding early is important because even in May it gets hot down in Mississippi! The equestrian trail is right there—you can’t miss it.
The trail association really caters to horses—they have water troughs with automatic water pumps so they are always filled along the trail every so often. It’s well marked and even have small stop signs when they cross a road. Benches every so often so bikers and walkers/joggers can rest too. Really nicely done.
It was misting in the early morning but we went out anyway. We were out for about 3 hours and by the time we turned around and came back we were all sweating. We gave the horses a hose down and let them dry in their stalls with all those shavings—with those big fans on. They had so much room they could roll all they wanted. Mike and I decided they really had the life in that barn!
We decided we would come back in a heart-beat. The facilities and the owner were wonderful. It was a fantastic place to stop. The name doesn’t do the place justice.
Thursday morning, we packed up and headed out for our next stop in Texas … another 5 hours away.
Four -K- Stables
Four K Stable Road, Bassfield, Mississippi
Phone: (601) 943-5003
