A slice of heaven on Earth

Big Red Stables is located on a third generation, family-owned farm in the heart of Kentucky’s famed Bluegrass region. For more than 30 years, Big Red Stables has welcomed passionate horse enthusiasts and beginners alike to experience real horseback trail riding on gentle, gaited Tennessee Walking Horses. Now we are happy to also offer GroomQi™, a moving meditation practice that combines grooming the horses and the ancient practice of qigong as a warm-up for horse and rider. Lasso the Qi™ and experience Kentucky at its best, on horseback!

Your guides

Emily is a third generation part owner and manager of the family farm, Baile Mam (Irish for “mom’s home”). Emily’s mom, Judy Burks, started Big Red Stables in the late ‘80s as a means to keep horses on the farm. A veteran rider, it’s now Emily’s turn to share the horses and farm with others. A lawyer by day, Emily’s true passion is horses, the farm, and all that goes with them.

Drew never realized when he married a lawyer that he was actually marrying a farmer. Today, an accomplished rider in his own right, Drew loves helping those less familiar on horseback feel right at home.

Our horses

Our horses are part of our family. Our herd of responsive, gentle Tennessee Walking horses will carry you safely at all paces, as your experience permits, across our more than 200-acre farm, or at nearby Shaker Village or Eagles Nest Equestrian Trails.

Drew and Emily will work to pair you with the best horse for your individual riding style. Your ride will be private and personalized. Please note - for safety reasons, we have a 12 year old minimum age limit (with some exception for children in horseback riding lessons) and observe the following height - maximum weight guidelines:

6’0 and taller - 230 lbs.

5’11” - 220 lbs.

5’10” - 210 lbs.

5’09” - 200 lbs.

5’08” - 190 lbs.

5’07” - 185 lbs.

5’06” - 180 lbs.

5’05” - 175 lbs.

5’04” - 170 lbs.

5’03” - 165 lbs.

5’02” - 160 lbs.

5’01” - 155 lbs.

5’00” - 150 lbs.

4’11” - 145 lbs.

our farm

A mix of rolling hills, flowering meadows, and ancient creeks in the heart of central Kentucky, Baile Mam Farm is a little slice of heaven on Earth. We invite you to slow down and discover the unique beauty of this part of the world as it was meant to be discovered - on horseback.