Athletic performance in horses refers to a horse's physical capacity to perform work, whether that means accelerating down the final stretch of a racetrack, clearing a technical jumping combination, or maintaining collection through a dressage test. Performance depends on how...
Equine science and equine studies programs combine horse management, animal science, and hands-on learning to prepare students for careers in the horse industry. Offered by many colleges and universities, these programs help students build practical horsemanship skills alongside a stronger...
Choosing the best vitamin E supplement for your horse is not as simple as picking the product with the highest IU per scoop. The right choice depends on what your horse is actually missing from the diet, including vitamin E...
Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is a widespread toxic plant that can pose a serious risk to horses when consumed repeatedly in pasture or contaminated hay. This adaptable perennial fern grows throughout North America and many other regions, often establishing dense...
Blue-green algae poisoning in horses is a serious and potentially fatal toxicosis caused by cyanobacteria, microscopic aquatic organisms that can produce potent toxins in contaminated water sources. Harmful cyanobacterial blooms occur worldwide in freshwater and brackish water systems. Under favorable...
The equine gut microbiome plays a key role in a horse's digestive health, immune function, and overall performance. A healthy gut helps horses digest feed efficiently, absorb nutrients, and maintain normal immune defenses. The foregut, which includes the stomach and...
Strong respiratory health is essential for your horse's comfort, stamina, recovery, and athletic performance, but choosing the right respiratory supplement is not always straightforward. With so many products marketed for breathing support, it can be difficult to know which options...
Laminitis is one of the most common and serious hoof conditions affecting horses. This painful disease damages the laminae, the specialized tissues that help suspend and support the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. In severe cases, laminitis can result...
Iron, zinc and copper are essential trace minerals in the horse's diet. Although required in small amounts, these nutrients have wide-ranging effects on equine health including oxygen transport, immune function, antioxidant defense and cellular energy production. Equine diets need to...
Helping a horse gain weight is not always as simple as feeding more grain or adding extra supplements. Weight gain depends on the horse consuming more calories than it needs, but factors such as forage quality, digestion, protein intake, workload,...
Topline supplements are one of the first solutions many horse owners look for when trying to improve muscle, condition, and overall appearance. A well-formulated supplement can support muscle development, especially when poor topline is related to gaps in essential amino...
Digestive health plays a central role in your horse's comfort, performance, and overall well being, but choosing the right gut supplement is not always straightforward. With a range of products targeting different areas of the digestive system, it can be...
Apples are almost universally associated with horses; in barns everywhere, apple slices and treats remain the go-to reward after a good ride. Apples are also widely used as ingredients in commercial feeds and baked horse treats, where they enhance palatability...
Strong, healthy hooves are essential for your horse's soundness, comfort, and performance, but choosing the right hoof supplement is not always straightforward. With so many products on the market, it can be difficult to know which option will actually improve...
Adequate vitamin and mineral intake is essential to maintaining your horse’s health and well-being. But with so many different supplement options on the market, how do you know which one to choose? The best vitamin and mineral supplement for your...
Horse owners often wonder what supplements their horse actually needs to stay healthy and perform well. While feed rooms are often filled with products promising support for gut health, joints, [...]
Hoof growth and hoof quality are common concerns in mature horses, particularly in breeds such as Friesians that are prone to thin soles, slow hoof growth, and brittle hoof walls. [ref n="1"] Nutritional imbalances are a well-recognized contributor to poor...
The equine digestive system is a remarkably complex and sensitive network of organs, adapted to process a steady supply of forage around the clock. When its delicate balance is disrupted, the horse's ability to process and absorb nutrients is affected....
Most horse owners know that poor air quality in dusty barns can cause coughing, nasal discharge, or laboured breathing in sensitive horses. But what happens when a horse seems worse outdoors—even on fresh green pasture? Just like people, horses can...
While horses are naturally well-adapted to colder climates, not all individuals cope equally well, and domestic management often interferes with their ability to maintain their internal body temperature. Clipping, restricted forage, inadequate shelter, chronic conditions, and other health factors all...
Timothy hay offers moderate energy and protein content, making it suitable for a wide range of horses. Depending on Timothy’s growing and harvesting conditions, it can be produced at varying nutritional levels to suit different horse’s needs- from growing and...
Respiratory dysfunction is a common and often overlooked issue in horses, with a variety of causes including infections, allergies, environmental irritants, and anatomical abnormalities. Horses depend on efficient lung function to meet the high oxygen demands of their large, athletic...
Warming up your horse before riding is essential for optimizing their performance and preventing injury. Just like human athletes, horses benefit from light exercise that prepares their bodies and minds for the demands of their specific discipline. A thoughtful warm-up...
Emerging equine research is the cornerstone of expanding our understanding of equine health, nutrition, management, and performance. This growing body of research provides valuable insights for veterinarians, equine professionals, and researchers seeking to apply evidence-based approaches in both clinical and...
Protein is an essential nutrient for horses and a key component of the equine diet. Adequate protein is required for supplying the amino acids needed to build and maintain muscle, vital organs, bones, hooves and other tissues. A horse's protein...
At Mad Barn, we’re passionate about supporting horse owners through research and equine expertise, providing education and solutions for equine health and nutrition. We were thrilled to join Elisa Walfish from the Data Driven Equestrian this past December to answer...
Horses are muscular animals, with a high proportion of muscle mass relative to their body weight. This impressive musculature has been shaped through centuries of selective breeding for athletic traits, including speed and strength, that enable horses to excel in...
Manganese is an essential trace mineral involved in multiple physiological processes within a horse’s body. It is an important component of antioxidant enzymes and plays key roles in skeletal, muscular, and nervous system health. Because of its importance, certain groups...
Originating from Friesland in the Netherlands, Friesian horses have a rich lineage that has been tracked for about 150 years through the Royal Friesian Horse Studbook. Known for their striking black coats, feathered fetlocks, and balanced physique, Friesians are valued...
Understanding your horse's energy requirement is important for formulating a balanced diet that supports athletic performance, weight maintenance and overall function. Horses, like all animals, rely on energy from their diet to fuel their everyday activities. Energy is required for...