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.

01/02/2026

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/

12/29/2025

🌟 Meet Camille Carier Bergeron: Canada’s rising dressage star! 🇨🇦🐎

From summer camps with horses to representing Canada on the world stage, Camille’s journey in the sport is nothing short of inspiring. She’s earned team bronze at the 2023 Pan American Games with her longtime partner Sound of Silence 4 and scored her first Big Tour win with Finnländerin at the 2024 Global Dressage Festival. 🎖️✨

Camille has trusted Mad Barn for evidence-based nutrition to fuel her horses’ health and performance for the past 6 years. From Spirulina to electrolytes, she trusts our science-backed approach to diet formulation, and Mad Barn helps to keep her horses feeling and performing their best.

Want to learn more about Camille? Check out this article below!
CA: https://madbarn.ca/camille-bergeron-equestrian-athlete-profile/
US: https://madbarn.com/camille-bergeron-equestrian-athlete-profile/

12/28/2025

🐴✨ Breed of the Week: The Ardennes ✨🐴

Powerful, compact, and packed with history, meet the Ardennes, one of the oldest draft horse breeds in the world! 💪🌍

Originating from the Ardennes region of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, this breed has been prized for strength and stamina for over 2,000 years. While they may be slightly shorter than some other draft breeds, don’t be fooled — Ardennes horses are incredibly muscular, sturdy, and built to work.

Known for their calm, willing temperament, these gentle giants have historically been used for farm work, hauling, and driving, and they’re just as admired today for their solid build and kind nature 💙

Often seen in bay, roan, chestnut, grey, and palomino, the Ardennes is as eye-catching as it is hardworking.

Have you ever worked with an Ardennes? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

Curious to learn more about this legendary draft breed? Check out our breed guide!
US: https://madbarn.com/ardennes-horse-breed-profile/
CA: https://madbarn.com/ardennes-horse-breed-profile/

Ardennes Canada

12/28/2025

🐴🧬 Feeding the Broodmare: Supporting Fertility, Pregnancy & Lactation

A healthy foal starts long before birth. Nutrition influences every stage of reproduction from hormonal balance and conception to fetal development, colostrum quality, and milk production. Because a broodmare’s nutrient needs change significantly over time, feeding for reproduction requires more than just “extra calories.” A balanced, forage-first diet is the foundation.

🌾 How Nutrient Needs Change
• Before pregnancy – Adequate vitamins, minerals, and amino acids support normal reproductive cycling and fertility
• Late gestation – Rapid fetal growth increases the mare’s need for digestible energy, high-quality protein, and key micronutrients
• Lactation – The most demanding stage; energy needs can double, and protein requirements increase dramatically to support milk production and maintain body condition

🔬 What Matters Most in a Broodmare Diet
Meeting nutrient requirements is essential for healthy foal development and long-term mare health.

🌱 Key nutrients include:
• Trace minerals & vitamin E – Support reproductive tissues, immune function, and colostrum quality
• DHA (omega-3s) – Supports reproductive efficiency and foal neural and immune development
• Yeast-based support – Helps optimize digestion, nutrient absorption, and colostrum antibody content

🔬 Supplements to Help Balance the Diet
• Omneity® – Provides essential vitamins, trace minerals, and amino acids to support fertility, pregnancy, and lactation
• Optimum Digestive Health – Supports hindgut efficiency and nutrient utilization during periods of increased demand
• W-3 Oil – Supplies DHA to support reproductive function and early foal development

⚠️ Broodmare's vary widely depending on forage quality, body condition, and stage of production. One feeding program does not fit every mare.

For personalized guidance, work with one of Mad Barn’s equine nutritionists or veterinarians.

👉 Learn more: madbarn.com/product-category/breeding-fertility/

12/27/2025

🩺 The Vet’s Scoop 🐴✨

📣 This week’s highlight: HC vs. NSC for Metabolic Horses

“Forget about NSC when evaluating diets for metabolic horses with insulin issues or PSSM. What really matters is the HC—hydrolyzable carbohydrates. HC represents the carbohydrates digested in the small intestine, and these are the nutrients that contribute to the insulin response.

HC = ESC + starch.

NSC = WSC + starch, which also includes fructans that are not digested in the small intestine.”
-Dr. Eleanor Kellon, VMD, Veterinary Nutritionist

For horses with insulin dysregulation (including many metabolic horses) or PSSM, it helps to look beyond NSC and focus on what’s most likely to drive an insulin response. Hydrolyzable carbohydrates (HC) represent the portion digested in the small intestine—the carbs that most directly impact blood sugar and insulin. That’s why HC can be a more useful number when comparing hay, pasture, and feeds for sensitive horses.

12/26/2025

🐴Did You Know?!

🥶A horse becomes hypothermic when their core temperature drops below 99°F (37°C), and frostbite can follow fast.

❄️When heat loss outpaces heat production, tissue like the ears, muzzle and pasterns can quickly become vulnerable to frostbite.

Providing wind protection, ensuring coats stay dry, and using appropriate blankets during severe weather are simple steps to reduce the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

To learn more about winter care, check out the links below:
US: https://madbarn.com/frostbite-and-hypothermia-in-horses/
CA: https://madbarn.ca/frostbite-and-hypothermia-in-horses/

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from everyone at Mad Barn! 🎄🐴

As the year wraps up, we just want to say how thankful we are for you, our amazing community of horse lovers and dedicated caregivers. We hope your holidays are filled with joy, spending time with family and friends, and of course plenty of quality time with your horse companions (and all the other barn buddies too!). 🐎🐕🐈🐖

From our team to yours, wishing you a season filled with love, laughter, and cozy barn days. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your horse’s journey this year. 🎁✨

🐎❤️

12/23/2025

Mad Barn is proud to support the next generation of equestrian athletes shaping the future of our sport 🇨🇦✨

As a talented Canadian show jumper, Isabella Erlick is already making her mark in the ring. From representing Canada as part of the Young Riders program to delivering consistent, competitive rounds at top national competitions, Isabella’s dedication, focus, and grit are on full display every time she enters the arena.

Supporting driven young athletes like Isabella, who put in the work day in and day out while chasing big goals, is what Mad Barn is all about. Here’s to the future of Canadian equestrian sport, and the riders leading the way 🐴💙

12/23/2025

❄️ When Should You Blanket Your Horse? ❄️

Blanketing isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. The right choice depends on your horse’s age, health, coat condition, workload, and living environment, as well as how they naturally handle cold stress.

Many healthy horses with a full winter coat and access to shelter can thermoregulate effectively on their own. However, others may require additional support when temperatures drop.

👉 Blanketing is recommended for horses that are:
🔹 Underweight, older, clipped, or experiencing illness
🔹 New to a colder climate
🔹 Exposed to wind, rain, wet snow, or inadequate shelter

✨ Choosing the right blanket matters.
Match blanket weight to the weather, choose waterproof layers in wet conditions, and ensure a proper fit that allows movement without rubbing. Check blankets daily; overheating, shifting, or moisture buildup can create discomfort and skin issues.

Blanketing can be beneficial for some horses, but unnecessary or even counterproductive for others. Understanding your horse’s individual needs is key to keeping them comfortable all winter long. 🐎❤️❄️

Want to learn more? Explore our full guide 👇
🇨🇦 https://madbarn.ca/blanketing-your-horse/
🇺🇸 https://madbarn.com/blanketing-your-horse/

Source: DeBoer ML. et al. Winter blanketing practices: An online survey of North American horse owners. J Equine Vet Sci. 2022.

Address

1465 Strasburg Road
Kitchener, ON
N2R1H2

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1-833-623-2276

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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?

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