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.

01/09/2026

🩺 The Vet’s Scoop 🐴✨

📣 This week’s highlight: Optimum Digestive Health

“I turn to Optimum Digestive Health for horses showing signs of hindgut imbalance, such as loose manure, free f***l water, or gas colic. It helps create a healthier hindgut environment by enhancing forage fermentation and supporting a balanced microbiome.”

— Dr. Fran Rowe, DVM, Veterinary Nutritionist

Optimum Digestive Health is an all-in-one digestive supplement that combines probiotics, prebiotics, yeast, digestive enzymes, and toxin binders to support a healthy hindgut. It helps maintain a balanced microbiome, promotes efficient fiber fermentation, aids nutrient absorption, and supports overall digestive comfort and consistency.

📖 Learn more:
🇨🇦 - https://madbarn.ca/product/optimum-digestive-health/
🇺🇸 -https://madbarn.com/product/optimum-digestive-health/

01/09/2026

Helping owners build the right nutrition plan for every horse 🤝

“Just want to say thank you to Mad Barn for all their support. I have two very different horses and figuring out what to feed has been a challenge. The team at Mad Barn has been there the entire way helping me optimize their hay-first diets. My boys get Omneity and they are thriving. Thank you.”

- Micheal, Ontario 💙

We’re always happy to support owners in building forage-based diets designed around their horse’s individual needs 🌾💪

Interested in learning more about how you can optimize your horses' diet?

Comment below or send us a direct message with your nutrition questions💬

01/08/2026

Increased breathing and sweating are normal physiological responses when a horse works hard. How these changes are managed during the cool-down period plays a key role in recovery and overall comfort. 🐴💦

An effective cool-down allows heart rate, breathing, and body temperature to gradually return to normal, helping reduce the risk of overheating, dehydration, and muscle soreness.

Light walking supports circulation, while airflow and cold hosing help remove excess heat through evaporation, especially important in warm or humid conditions.

Always monitor your horse after exercise. Breathing that remains rapid, persistent heat, or fatigue can signal incomplete cooling and may require additional intervention. ⚠️

To learn more, explore the full article below:
🇨🇦- https://madbarn.ca/how-to-cool-down-horses/
🇺🇸- https://madbarn.com/how-to-cool-down-horses/

01/07/2026

🐴 Tip of the Day

Did you know that bathing your horse too often can actually do more harm than good? 🧼✨

When horses are washed with shampoo, it can strip away the natural oils in their coat. These oils are important for protecting the skin and giving that beautiful, healthy shine we all love. 💫

Instead of frequent full baths, try rinsing with plain water or giving a good brush-down to remove dirt and sweat. Save the soapy baths for when your horse is really dirty or before a special event. 🌿🚿

This way, you’ll keep their coat glossy, skin happy, and natural oils right where they belong. 🐎💖

👉 Learn more in our full guide here:
CA: https://madbarn.ca/guide-to-bathing-a-horse/
US: https://madbarn.com/guide-to-bathing-a-horse/

01/07/2026

Laminitis doesn’t only occur on lush spring pastures; cold weather can also trigger episodes in at-risk horses. ❄️🐴

Winter laminitis develops when seasonal changes affect circulation, metabolism, and hoof health. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels in the lower limbs and hooves to constrict, reducing oxygen delivery to the laminae. Reduced movement and underlying metabolic conditions can further elevate risk.

Management changes can make a big difference. A forage-first, low-NSC diet, proper metabolic support, regular hoof care, and monitoring body temperature can all help reduce the likelihood of winter laminitis.

Swipe through the carousel for:
🔹 Why laminitis occurs in cold weather
🔹 Horses at higher risk
🔹 Signs of winter laminitis
🔹 Nutrition strategies to support metabolic health
🔹 Additional prevention tips

If you want to read more, here is the full article:
🇺🇸 madbarn.com/winter-laminitis-in-horses/
🇨🇦 madbarn.ca/winter-laminitis-in-horses/

If you suspect your horse is suffering from laminitis, contact your veterinarian immediately.

If you’d like support balancing your horse’s diet, our nutritionists are here to help with a personalized plan.

01/06/2026

A rider’s skill, balance, timing, and mindset all influence how a horse feels, learns, and performs under saddle. 🐎🤝

Clear, coordinated cues allow the horse to understand what we ask and respond with confidence, while strength and fitness help riders stay balanced and out of the horse’s way. Understanding equine behaviour, precise timing of aids, and emotional regulation all support better communication and reduce tension.

Becoming more aware of how we influence our horses helps build clarity, trust, and a more enjoyable partnership, small adjustments in how we ride can make a big difference in horse comfort and welfare💞

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

01/04/2026

🌟 Breed of the Week: Swedish Warmblood! 🐴🇸🇪

This week at Mad Barn, we’re celebrating the Swedish Warmblood, a noble and athletic sport horse with a rich history and versatile talent! 🇸🇪✨

Originally developed in Sweden’s state studs with centuries of selective breeding, the Swedish Warmblood was shaped into a sound, rideable horse prized for performance and temperament.

What really sets the breed apart is its willing temperament and strong work ethic. Swedish Warmbloods are friendly, intelligent, and eager to please, making them strong partners for competitive athletes and amateur enthusiasts alike.

They shine across top equestrian disciplines, especially dressage, show jumping, and eventing , thanks to athleticism, powerful gaits, and trainability. From schooling arenas to competitive rings, they’re known for reliability, scope, and performance excellence.

Whether you’re chasing your next competition goal or enjoying quality time in the saddle, the Swedish Warmblood represents a beautiful blend of heritage, versatility, and performance! 🐎❤️

Have you ever worked with a Swedish Warmblood? Tell us about it in the comments!

Want to learn more about this incredible breed? Check out our breed guide!

CA: https://madbarn.ca/swedish-warmblood-breed-profile/

US: https://madbarn.com/swedish-warmblood-breed-profile/

01/03/2026

Happy Holidays! ❄️🎄✨

The winner of our Mad Barn Prize Pack for the Stall Decorating Contest is Bennacer Langlois . Please send us a direct message to claim your prize! 🎁🐴

Thank you to everyone who participated! We loved seeing all your festive, creative stall setups. ❤️

- - -

Joyeuses Fêtes! ❄️🎄✨

Le gagnant de notre ensemble-cadeau Mad Barn pour le concours de décoration de box est Sarah Bennacer Langlois. Veuillez nous envoyer un message privé afin de réclamer votre prix! 🎁🐴

Merci à toutes les personnes ayant participé! Nous avons adoré découvrir vos décorations de box festives et créatives. ❤️

01/02/2026

A musty odour, visible white/grey dust, discolouration, or bales that feel damp or unusually warm are common signs of moldy hay⚠️

Moldy hay can irritate the airways and trigger problems ranging from coughing and poor performance to equine asthma/heaves and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections🫁.

It can also expose horses to mycotoxins (toxic compounds produced by some molds), which may contribute to digestive upset, immune suppression, neurological signs, and organ damage, even when hay doesn’t look obviously moldy.

We cover how to spot mold, what symptoms to watch for, and what to do if you suspect exposure in the full article below:

🇨🇦- https://madbarn.ca/dangers-of-moldy-hay-for-horses/
🇺🇸- https://madbarn.com/dangers-of-moldy-hay-for-horses/

01/01/2026

On behalf of the entire Mad Barn team, Stella wants to wish everyone the happiest of New Years! 🎉🐴

Here’s to a year filled with healthy horses, strong partnerships, and lots of barn moments we wouldn’t trade for anything. Thank you for being part of our community and trusting us to support your horses every step of the way.

Cheers to 2026; we can’t wait to see what the year brings! 💙✨

01/01/2026

❄️ Winter Riding: Understanding the Physiology Behind Cold-Weather Training ❄️

When discussing winter conditioning, it’s important to recognize how significantly cold temperatures alter a horse’s respiratory function, muscle physiology, and recovery from exercise. The demands on the respiratory tract increase in cold, dry air; muscle elasticity decreases. These shifts mean that the same level of exercise can place very different demands on the horse in January than it does in June.

Thoughtful winter training, therefore, isn’t simply about extending warm-ups. It involves a more strategic approach: moderating intensity, prioritizing gradual muscle engagement, and allowing sufficient time for complete cool-downs to protect both respiratory and musculoskeletal health. These adjustments help mitigate cold-weather stiffness, minimize performance-limiting airway irritation, and support overall welfare.

Nutritional and environmental management also play a crucial role. Horses often drink less in winter and expend more energy maintaining body temperature. Ensuring consistent access to warm water, adequate forage intake, and appropriate dietary support helps maintain hydration, digestive function, and immune resilience during periods of cold stress.

With these considerations in mind, winter can remain a productive and beneficial training season.

Learn more about evidence-based winter training strategies:
🇨🇦 https://madbarn.ca/training-horses-in-winter/
🇺🇸 https://madbarn.com/training-horses-in-winter/

12/30/2025

🌟Tip of the Day!

🐴 Horses can recognize who is calling, not just that someone is calling. When they hear a familiar horse’s whinny, they expect to see that same horse, and they may become confused or alert if a different horse appears instead.

🗣️This means a familiar voice can be comforting, while unfamiliar sounds or sudden changes can put them on high alert.

⚠️Small changes, such as a new handler, adifferent turnout buddy, and a new feeding routine can cause stress because it breaks what they're expecting.

📌Keep it steady and introduce changes slowly to keep a calmer and more confident horse!

To learn more about cross-modal individual recognition check out the link below:
https://madbarn.com/research/proximity-tracking-using-ultra-wideband-technology-for-equine-social-behaviour-research/

Address

1465 Strasburg Road
Kitchener, ON
N2R1H2

Telephone

1-833-623-2276

Website

https://madbarn.com/, 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?

01/09/2026

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12/30/2025

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