Mayberry West Farm: Big Hearts, Big Dreams, Big Animals

Clydesdales, Bison and Community Spirit in Milan

Marie Smith with the bison and the Clydesdales.

(Milan, Ind.) - They say you can tell a lot about people by the company they keep. That certainly seems true for Brian and Marie Smith and their family at Mayberry West Farm, where big dreams, big hearts, and some very big animals all share the same beautiful property in Milan.

Sprawling Mayberry West is home to six beautiful Clydesdale horses, which average about 2,000 pounds each, and a herd of bison, which can weigh well over 1,000 pounds each. Other horses, a donkey, and a few dogs round out the lively farm family.

Surprisingly, the Smiths are fairly new to raising and caring for these animals, with just four years of hands-on experience. But they did not jump in unprepared.

Brian and Marie spent countless hours studying through books and online resources, attending workshops and national association conferences, and most importantly, learning from other ranchers who raise bison and Clydesdales. Along the way, they learned about feeding, shelter, safe handling, and how to keep each animal healthy and content. They also discovered just how rare these animals are.

Around the world, Clydesdales are easy to recognize, thanks in part to the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Still, the breed itself is not common. With an estimated global population of only a few thousand horses, Clydesdales are now considered threatened and are among the horse breeds at risk of extinction.

One reason Clydesdales are no longer a staple in many agricultural areas is that machinery has taken over much of the work they once did. They also require a lot of care and grooming, can be prone to health issues, and eat a lot. Even so, they are gentle, friendly, willing to work, and very trainable.

The Smiths love sharing their Clydesdales with the community. The horses appear in local parades and festivities, and they even visit nursing homes, with Brian at the reins guiding the wagon. The family also welcomes school groups to the farm for educational visits and close-up learning about these magnificent animals.

In addition to the Clydesdales, the Smiths spent a great deal of time learning about the specialized handling and facilities required for a bison ranch. While many people use the word “buffalo,” the scientifically accurate term for these animals is bison.

Brian and Marie believe bison are an incredible part of our nation’s history, and they want to be part of their conservation success story. Bison numbers fell from an estimated 30 to 60 million roaming North America before European settlement to about 1,000 survivors in the late 1800s.

Today, those numbers have rebounded thanks in part to dedicated ranchers and farmers.

The Smiths learned that bison can be unpredictable, so tall, sturdy fencing is a must. Each animal needs about one acre of high-quality forage, along with supplemental feed. And while the massive bulls may look intimidating, experienced female bison make the key decisions within the herd.

The Smiths are proud to offer quality, locally raised bison products for sale from their farm. To place an order, text 513-616-2058. During July, which is National Bison Month, they encourage people to learn more about these remarkable animals and the benefits of bison meat.

Local restaurants, including Milan’s Reservation Restaurant, are also serving Mayberry West Bison Burgers to hungry diners this summer.

Most of all, the Smiths are passionate about their large and rare animals, and they enjoy giving others the chance to meet them up close.

Several times a year, Mayberry West hosts an open house where visitors can meet the Clydesdales and see the bison grazing in the fenced pastures.

The Fall Open House, set for October 24 and October 25, will also feature a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Watch the Mayberry West Facebook page for more details.

Bison meat, America’s original protein source, will be available for sale, and Marie will prepare plenty of samples for visitors to try. Brian will also be ready to take guests on wagon rides pulled by the Clydesdales.

Guests can also visit the other horses, and the donkey, who may not be large but definitely believes he is in charge. It all adds up to a fun family outing in a beautiful setting, surrounded by some of the biggest and most unique animals in Indiana.