#49 - How Research Is Reshaping Horse Nutrition and Laying the Groundwork with Scott Cieslar

In this episode of Horse People, I sit down with Scott Cieslar, founder and CEO of Mad Barn, to talk about how he's building something pretty rare in the world, a business rooted in research first. Scott is laying the groundwork for a smarter, science-backed approach to equine nutrition. We dive into everything from why salt is wildly underrated to how a simple hay test could change your horse’s health. If you care about performance, longevity, and doing right by your horse, this one’s for you.Key topics we discussed:Why Mad Barn is investing in foundational research instead of chasing trendsWhy most horse owners misunderstand hay quality, and how earlier cuts actually provide more nutrients than later onesHow horses use oxygen differently, and what that means for training and recoveryThe role of salt, forage, and minerals in avoiding common health issuesWhat Scott’s big-picture vision is for Mad Barn and equine nutrition worldwideSocial media:Instagram: @madbarnequineWebsite: madbarn.comSubscribe to Horse People and get 5% off at Madbarn.com with code HORSEPEOPLE. Your horse could probably use some vitamins and minerals!