Mad Barn

Overview

Mad Barn is a Canadian equine nutrition company specializing in research-backed supplements and feeding solutions for horses. The company offers a range of products including probiotics, digestive enzymes, minerals, and vitamin powders, along with an equine nutrition calculator and educational resources. Mad Barn differentiates itself through its commitment to funding nutrition research, developing technology-based feeding solutions, and providing education to horse owners rather than focusing primarily on product sales.

History

Mad Barn was founded in 2010 by Scott Cieslar, MSc, a professional nutritionist with 20+ years of experience, who initially created a balanced mineral and vitamin premix for his own horse. Unable to find well-formulated supplements at fair prices, Cieslar began selling his formulation through word of mouth, eventually choosing to run the company full-time as demand grew. The company expanded across North America while maintaining its research-driven approach, with Cieslar pursuing a PhD at the University of Guelph before putting it on hold to focus on Mad Barn. In 2021, Mad Barn became BBB Accredited, and the company has since partnered with Equestrian Canada to provide nutritional solutions to Team Canada's equestrians.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Mad Barn manufactures its supplements in-house at a dedicated equine-only facility in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, adhering to strict quality control standards to ensure product safety and consistency.

Notable Products

• Balanced Mineral & Vitamin Premix - The original formulation created by founder Scott Cieslar for his own horse, designed to address nutritional deficiencies in equine diets.
• Probiotics & Digestive Enzymes - Gut health products formulated to support digestive function and microbial balance in horses.
• Equine Nutrition Calculator - A comprehensive digital tool that helps horse owners identify nutritional deficiencies and formulate effective feeding programs tailored to individual horses.

Reputation

Mad Barn is recognized within the equine community for its scientifically formulated supplements and research-driven approach to horse nutrition. The company has earned trust among Canadian and North American equestrians, including professional competitors through its Equestrian Canada partnership. Strengths include transparent ingredient selection, commitment to funding nutrition research, and educational support for horse owners. The company's small size and focus on research over aggressive marketing may limit its visibility compared to larger supplement manufacturers.