Sponsored

By Dr. Graham Thompson, MSc, PhD 

Ask horse owners where they turn for equine health and nutrition advice, and time and again there is only one answer: Mad Barn. Over the past few years, this Kitchener Ontario-based company has emerged as a trusted resource for science-backed equine health information and products across North America. 

At the forefront of Mad Barn is Scott Cieslar, whose focus on research and education is transforming the way we feed and manage horses. What began as a side hustle during his days at the University of Guelph has evolved into an important resource for millions of horse owners. 

Meet Scott Cieslar — Founder of Mad Barn 

Cieslar’s journey began on a humble family farm in rural Ontario. Growing up, he was surrounded by livestock — from beef cattle to pigs — but the horses in particular captured his heart from an early age. 

“When I was around 10 years old, my dad got into horses, and that’s really where my interest started,” Cieslar recalls. “We had a mixed farm, but the horses were always my favourite. I just enjoyed being around them.”  

Education and Early Career 

After high school, Cieslar enrolled at the University of Guelph, Ontario’s leading agricultural school. Eventually, he found his calling as a nutritionist, completing his Master’s Degree in Dairy Science. With his degree in hand, Cieslar was ready to see what opportunities were ripe for an aspiring nutritionist. 

Cieslar spent his early career honing his knowledge, gaining feeding experience across multiple species. He also trained racehorses for a time and started formulating different supplements to optimize their health and performance. 

As Cieslar’s industry and equine experience grew, so did his entrepreneurial aspirations. “I always had this itch to work in research but knew that funding was very limited. The more I worked in the feed industry, the more I saw opportunities to fill some gaps in the market and use product sales to fund the research I wanted to do.” 

Scientific Integrity Earns Public Trust 

In 2013, Cieslar took a leap of faith and launched his own equine nutrition company, Mad Barn. 

“I didn’t start out with the intent to sell equine nutrition products. Instead, I started formulating products because I wanted the best nutrition for my own horses…. Seeing the improvement in condition and performance of the horses in my care, naturally, people asked what I was feeding. They started purchasing my formula and from there a business was born.” 

For Mad Barn to succeed, the Canadian company had to set itself apart in a highly competitive market. With plenty of horse supplements already available, it’s difficult for owners tell the difference between proven results and marketing hype.  

From the beginning, Cieslar wanted to make scientific research, innovation, and public education fundamental pillars of his brand. “I knew that if we were going to succeed in this space, we had to back up our claims with verified science,” he says. 

A Canadian Success Story 

It’s been a long road, and Cieslar can stand proud knowing he is at the helm of one of the most successful Canadian equine nutrition brands. Even with accelerated growth and expansion, Mad Barn continues manufacturing at their facility in Kitchener, Ontario. 

“There’s a real sense of pride and trust that comes with being a Canadian brand,” he says. “Our customers know that we’re not just slapping a label on something that was made overseas — they can be confident that our products are held to the highest standards of quality and safety.” 

Putting Horses First 

Keeping manufacturing close to home isn’t the only way Mad Barn sets itself apart. Cieslar is committed to providing free professional nutrition consultations to horse owners. While equine nutritionist services can often cost hundreds of dollars, Cieslar says working with Mad Barn's experts will always remain free.  

“Our goal is to improve the lives of horses, and if that means investing in free consultations, then that’s what we’ll do,” he says.  

As for measuring the success of Mad Barn, Cieslar looks beyond traditional metrics like revenue and market share. “Of course, those things are important, but for me, the real measure of success is the positive feedback we get from our customers,” he says. “Knowing that we’re making a difference in the lives of horses and their owners — that’s what truly drives me.” 

Dr.Graham Thompson, MSc, PhD is a Mad Barn Affiliate and Author 

www.MadBarn.ca

Main Photo: Shutterstock/Rita Kochmarjova