Mad Barn

Mad Barn Every horse deserves a balanced diet. On the exterior, we may look like a lot of other supplement companies, but let us assure you, we are not.

Like Mad Barn for science-backed nutrition, expert support, and free tools and education to help your horse feel and perform their best. Our primary purpose is not to convince you to buy products, it’s to advance the practice of equine nutrition by:

- Funding research to better understand how nutrition impacts the health of your horse.

- Developing technology and feeding solutions to make it easier to feed your horse what he or she needs.

- Providing education and support to horse owners and the broader equine community. Nutrition is the cornerstone to equine health, well-being and optimal performance. Our nutritionists are always available to answer your questions or help you formulate a balanced feeding program for free. We fund all of our activities through product sales. So if you feed your horse Mad Barn, thank you for helping us achieve our mission.

Yellow dots on your horse’s legs may look harmless, but they are often botfly eggs.Botflies (Gasterophilus intestinalis)...
03/10/2026

Yellow dots on your horse’s legs may look harmless, but they are often botfly eggs.

Botflies (Gasterophilus intestinalis) lay their eggs on a horse’s hair during the warmer months. When horses groom themselves, the larvae can enter the mouth and eventually migrate to the stomach, where they develop for several months.

Many horses show few signs, which is why botfly infections can easily go unnoticed.

Regularly checking your horse for botfly eggs and removing them from the coat can help interrupt the parasite’s life cycle and reduce exposure. Strategic deworming with products such as ivermectin or moxidectin after the first frost is also commonly recommended to target larvae in the stomach.

Work with your veterinarian to develop a deworming protocol that addresses all parasites your horse may be at risk for based on management practices and regional concerns.

Understanding how botflies infect horses can help you take simple steps to protect your horse’s health.

Learn how to identify botfly eggs, understand their life cycle, and manage exposure in the full guide:
🇺🇸 https://madbarn.com/botflies-in-horses/
🇨🇦 https://madbarn.ca/botflies-in-horses/

Save this post so you know what to look for the next time you see yellow dots on your horse’s coat.

03/10/2026

Mad Barn is proud to present the next segment of our series, “The People Behind the Horses,” where we spotlight the individuals shaping the future of equine wellness and performance. In this episode, we sit down with Canadian 3-time Olympic Event Rider Mike Winter.

🎙 What you’ll hear in this episode:
🔹 Mike’s journey from his early riding years in Canada to becoming a three-time Olympic eventing athlete
🔹 The training philosophies and horsemanship principles that guide his approach to developing top-level horses
🔹 The mindset, discipline, and continuous learning required to sustain excellence at the international level
🔹 How data-driven management, nutrition, and conditioning support sound and confident equine partners
🔹 The importance of mentorship, community, and collaborative leadership within the equestrian industry
🔹 Mike’s perspective on the responsibilities of modern riders, both in the saddle and as ambassadors for the sport
🔹Insight into the ongoing conversations around the equestrian sport's social license to operate

Whether you’re a competitor, coach, or passionate horse owner, this episode offers a unique look into the people and purpose driving equestrian sport in Canada.

⏱ Podcast Timeline
00:00 – Welcome
00:22– Introduction to Mike and His Journey to the Elite Level of Equestrian Sport
05:58 – How Mike’s Mindset and Preparation for the Major Games Have Evolved
06:12 – Mike’s Experience as a Member of Canada’s Eventing High Performance Advisory Board
11:27 – How Mike’s Experience in the European Eventing Environment Shaped His Perspective on Canada’s National Program
16:51 – Balancing Traditional Vs Innovative Training Methods
19:41 – Exploring and Improving Equestrian Sports Social License to Operate
28:23 - Looking Towards The Future

📚 Related Resources:
👉https://madbarn.ca/mike-winter-equestrian-athlete-profile/
👉https://madbarn.ca/equestrian-eventing-discipline-guide/
👉https://madbarn.com/social-license-to-operate-in-the-equine-industry/

Want to evaluate your horse's diet? Follow this link to get connected with an equine nutritionist or explore our horse nutrition calculator: madbarn.com/analyze-diet

Mad Barn is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers, and practitioners through research, training, and education. Visit us to learn more at madbarn.com.

You can also find Mad Barn at:
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok —

Providing horses with safe toys and enrichment options can help reduce boredom, channel natural curiosity, and promote m...
03/10/2026

Providing horses with safe toys and enrichment options can help reduce boredom, channel natural curiosity, and promote mental well-being, especially when they spend time stalled or in turnout. 🐴

Toys designed for horses, whether hanging balls, treat dispensers, or durable chew objects, encourage exploration and can help decrease unwanted behaviors like wood chewing, pacing, or stall weaving.

Choosing sturdy, equine-appropriate toys and rotating them regularly keeps novelty high and engagement strong, supporting a happier, more stimulated horse.
Always monitor how your horse interacts with new toys, if something becomes unsafe or a horse is frustrated rather than engaged, it may be time to adjust or remove that item. ⚠️

To learn more, explore the full article below:
🇨🇦 - https://madbarn.ca/toys-for-horses/
🇺🇸 - https://madbarn.com/toys-for-horses/

03/09/2026

Not every horse needs the same amount of it, but all horses can benefit from having DHA in their diet. 🐎

In this video, Mad Barn Founder & CEO Scott Cieslar explains why w-3 Oil is suitable for horses at all exercise levels. The difference isn’t whether to feed it, it’s how much. Horses in heavier work simply require higher energy intake, while horses in lighter work can be fed smaller amounts to support a balanced diet.

w-3 Oil helps support healthy skin, coat quality, and overall nutrition for horses across all stages of work.

Learn more about w-3 Oil here:
CA: https://madbarn.ca/product/w-3-oil/
US: https://madbarn.com/product/w-3-oil/

Congratulations to everyone who competed at the Fun in the Sun Endurance Festival this past weekend! ☀️🐎We had so much f...
03/09/2026

Congratulations to everyone who competed at the Fun in the Sun Endurance Festival this past weekend! ☀️🐎

We had so much fun watching all the action and cheering these talented horse and rider combinations on throughout an incredible weekend of endurance, teamwork, and horsemanship👏

A huge shoutout to all the riders, crews, organizers, and volunteers who make events like this possible, we’re proud to be part of such an amazing endurance community! 💚

📸:

03/09/2026

✨ Tip Of The Day!

🐎 A decrease in performance may indicate respiratory allergies, as even subtle reactions can limit oxygen use.

Horses exposed to dust, mold, pollen, or poor air quality may develop low-grade airway inflammation that reduces stamina and recovery long before obvious signs like coughing appear.

🫁 Other respiratory signs can include:
- Nasal Discharge
- Labored breathing
- Flared nostrils

💙 Supporting respiratory health through good ventilation, allergen management, and balanced nutrition can help horses breathe easier and perform their best!

To learn more about allergy management check out the link below:
CA: https://madbarn.ca/allergies-in-horses/
US: https://madbarn.com/allergies-in-horses/

Do you know your horse’s body condition score? 🤔🐴 Body condition scoring is a simple way to estimate how much body fat y...
03/08/2026

Do you know your horse’s body condition score? 🤔🐴

Body condition scoring is a simple way to estimate how much body fat your horse is carrying and whether they’re underweight, overweight, or at an ideal weight.

Drop your horse's body score in the comments below and stay tuned to learn how to score your horse like a pro!

Learn more on body condition scoring here:
🇨🇦- https://madbarn.ca/body-condition-scoring-your-horse/
🇺🇸- https://madbarn.com/body-condition-scoring-your-horse/

📸:

🐎 Breed of the Week: Marwari HorseWith their iconic inward-curling ears and proud desert heritage, the Marwari Horse is ...
03/08/2026

🐎 Breed of the Week: Marwari Horse

With their iconic inward-curling ears and proud desert heritage, the Marwari Horse is one of the most distinctive breeds in the world. Native to the Marwar region of north-western India, these horses were bred by Rajput rulers for bravery, stamina, and unwavering loyalty in battle.

Standing around 14–15 hands high, the Marwari combines elegance with toughness. Their arched necks, sturdy hooves, and hardy build reflect centuries of adaptation to arid desert conditions. Some even possess a natural ambling gait for a smoother ride over long distances.

Historically used as cavalry mounts, today the Marwari shines in endurance riding, trail work, polo, and traditional disciplines, always bringing intelligence, spirit, and a strong bond with their rider.

Though once endangered and still relatively rare outside India, dedicated preservation efforts have helped safeguard this remarkable breed and its cultural legacy.

Have you ever seen this historic breed? Tell us about your experiences below!

Want to learn more about the Marwari Horse?
Read the full breed profile here:
CA: https://madbarn.ca/marwari-horse-breed-profile/
US: https://madbarn.com/marwari-horse-breed-profile/

🐴Did You Know?!⚖️ Riders and all of their tack combined should weight no more than 20% of the horse's total body weight!...
03/08/2026

🐴Did You Know?!

⚖️ Riders and all of their tack combined should weight no more than 20% of the horse's total body weight!

Staying within this guideline helps reduce strain on the horse's back, joints, and soft tissues, supporting long-term soundness and comfort.

Factors like fitness level, age, conformation, and workload can also play a role in how much weight your horse can comfortably carry.

❤️While the 20% rule is a helpful guideline, it's important to consider these additional factors to best support overall equine well-being.

To learn more about how riders impact horse comfort, check out the following links:
US: https://madbarn.com/how-riders-impact-horses/
CA: https://madbarn.ca/how-riders-impact-horses/

🐎 Riding is a partnership built on communication, balance, and trust.Every ride is a conversation between horse and ride...
03/07/2026

🐎 Riding is a partnership built on communication, balance, and trust.

Every ride is a conversation between horse and rider. The clarity of our cues, our balance and fitness, our emotional state, and even how well our saddle fits can all influence how comfortably a horse moves and how clearly they respond to training.

Research shows these factors can affect stride patterns, pressure distribution across the horse’s back, and how effectively cues are delivered during work. When riders become more aware of how their position, coordination, and mindset influence the horse, they can make thoughtful adjustments that support comfort, performance, and long term soundness.

Small improvements in rider stability, cue timing, and understanding equine behavior can strengthen communication and create a more positive training experience for both horse and rider.

Swipe through to explore several evidence based ways riders impact their horse’s comfort, behavior, and performance under saddle.

To learn more about the science behind rider influence, read the full article:

🇺🇸 https://madbarn.com/how-riders-impact-horses/
🇨🇦 https://madbarn.ca/how-riders-impact-horses/

A staple in Emma’s barn for supporting healthy weight and glossy coats 🐴✨“We have been using many different Mad Barn pro...
03/07/2026

A staple in Emma’s barn for supporting healthy weight and glossy coats 🐴✨

“We have been using many different Mad Barn products for many years and have always had success. Our favourite and most popular in the barn is the W-3 Oil. Our performance horses keep healthy weight and have beautiful coats that shine. Bonus points for being picky-eater approved! We love our Mad Barn products!”
— Emma 💙

It’s always great to hear when a product becomes a staple in the feed room. W-3 Oil provides a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids to help support body condition and coat health keeping horses looking and feeling their best for the show ring!

Interested in adding W-3 Oil to your horse’s diet? Learn more below ⬇️

🇨🇦- https://madbarn.ca/product/w-3-oil/
🇺🇸- https://madbarn.com/product/w-3-oil/

03/07/2026

🐎 Tip Of The Day!

If your horse looks healthy but performance is lacking, the gap may be in micronutrients, not calories!

📊 An analysis of over 6,500 diets found that many diets oversupplied energy and protein while undersupplying nutrients like sodium, selenium, and vitamin E.

🥕A balanced diet with appropriate energy, forage, and micronutrients helps support hoof quality, joint health, digestion and over all well-being.

⚡When key micronutrients are lacking, horses may experience reduced energy efficiency, slower recovery, compromised musculoskeletal function, and a decline in overall performance, even when calorie intake appears adequate.

👉You can use a nutrition calculator to build feeding plans to meet your horse's individual needs.
To find the calculator and learn more about what this analysis revealed check out the link below:
CA: https://madbarn.ca/equine-diet-review/
US: https://madbarn.com/equine-diet-review/

Address

1465 Strasburg Road
Kitchener, ON
N2R1H2

Telephone

1-833-623-2276

Website

https://madbarn.ca/

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Our Story

Welcome to Mad Barn, we’re a different sort of company, as you may have noted from the name. On the exterior, we may look like a lot of other ‘supplement’ companies out there, but let us assure you, we are not.

Our primary purpose is not to convince you to buy a product, it’s to deepen our understanding of equine nutrition, physiology and ethological need and then share that information with you.

We aim to improve the well being of you and your horse by providing - ‘Crazy Good Nutrition’ at a fair price. And when you decide to give your horse the very best, you can be confident that we are working away in the background to make it even better!

The horse is an integral part of human history - don’t we owe them the very best?