BIG SOUTH FORK TENNESSEE: Take Your Tack To Jay's Leather

The Big South Fork area in Jamestown, Tennessee is horse country, all right. And with horses comes….as every horseman knows….repairs to leather tack! But WHERE do you take your tack and equipment when it needs to be repaired?

Not to worry. You take it to Jay Beauman in Muddy Pond. Jay certainly knows his trade; he is a third generation leather worker. He's 27 now and has been working in his father's shop since he was 15. The Muddy Pond Mennonite community is known for its sorghum mill, for the sheds, gazebos and porch furniture produced by its wood workers and for its leather shops.

Jay's business thrives through word of mouth. He has never had to advertise and he will never have to, as his reputation grows.Many of his customers are from out of state, bringing their repairs when they come here for the wonderful trail riding at Big South Fork or at East Fork. On a rainy day or when they've ridden hard and need to give their horses a day off, they'll plan a trip to Muddy Pond to see Jay.

He makes custom saddles, custom chaps and gun holsters and does any kind of custom leather work that comes through the door. It took my breath away when he showed me the restoration he had done on this antique Spanish sidesaddle, using fabric and tassels provided by the customer. Jay also has a variety of hides and assorted types of leather, which he sells to crafters for their projects.

He doesn't have a website but you'll find Jay at 3654 Muddy Pond Road, Monterey, TN 38574. You can get directions online or you can call him at (931) 445-2225.

For information about Big South Fork real estate or horse properties in Jamestown, Tennessee, go to www.trailridersrealestate.com