Who we are

Vicki and Tom Smith established the Merry Band Farm in Silk Hope, NC in 1998. They have raised horses and hay since day one. 

Tom has had horses in his family for several generations, dating back to the Cedar Hill Farm in SC in the early 1800’s. His earliest memories of horses are riding his father’s Percheron mare after his dad plowed his garden. Riding and showing horses was a big part of his upbringing. Vicki always wanted to ride and took to it easily 40 years ago when she and Tom met.

Tom’s passion is breeding and training young horses. The process of choosing mares and stallions, foaling, and then bringing that foal along never loses its appeal. He spent many years playing and coaching sports and then starting and running businesses. He says working with young horses is really coaching. Each horse, like each player, has a different personality and responds a little differently. Figuring out how to work with each individual player or horse to get the best result is the key to success.

Foals at the MBF are handled daily from birth. The goal is to make everything easy and calm for them as they learn ground manners, standing for the farrier and vet, trailering, first saddling and early rides. Then it’s on to developing a horse that’s soft and willing in the more advanced stages of riding. When you purchase a horse from the MBF at this stage you can be sure it has a solid foundation.