Let's Talk Salt
We all know horses need salt (about 1 1/2 tbs a day) in their diet but ensuring they get that can be tricky. Some commercial feeds include salt but if you aren’t feeding the recommended amount, your horse may not be getting enough.
Horses tend to get more salt in their diet thanks to electrolyte use in the summer but with excess sweating it may not be enough. I have never had much luck adding loose table salt to my horse’s feed, they often nose around it and leave it in the bottom of their feeder. And quite frankly who wants that much salt on their dinner.
In order to assure my horses have access to the amount of salt they need, I provide a free-choice salt block in their feeder. They can lick on it as much or as little as they like and when combined with electrolytes they get the salt they need.
The question is, which salt block to use? The obvious answer is the one your horse will lick the most but there are differences to consider when choosing the right salt block.
Which salt block should I lick?
White Salt Blocks are the most common and economical way to go. They are compressed from vacuum granulated salt, fine solar salt or fine rock salt. They contain no additives and are pure sodium chloride. Due to higher processing they will contain no other minerals. They have a smooth, shiny surface that often softens around the edges after horses lick them. Picky horses or ones with sensitive mouths tend to like these the most. The negative to using plain salt blocks is that over exuberant horses can bite off chunks and end up crunching and eating more salt than they need. My mare Scout favors these plain white blocks over all others.
Himalayan Rock Salt is mined in Pakistan’s northern Punjab region at the famous Khewra Salt Mine. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, the mine was discovered around 320 BC when the troops of Alexander the Great moved through the region. The story goes that it was the soldiers’ horses who actually discovered the Khewra salt deposits when they started licking the rocks they found around the landscape. Himalayan Rock Salt has a distinctive pink hue that comes from it’s high mineral content, including iron, potassium, and magnesium. Because it requires no processing, all of the minerals are intact and contribute to your horse’s health. These salt blocks are rock hard and not made from compressed salt so they last longer, can withstand weather if left outside and horses can’t bite chunks off them. If you want to add some extra minerals to your horse’s diet or if your horse doesn’t like the plain salt blocks then this is a good choice. They usually come on a rope and are easy to hang in any stall and can travel to shows easily. This is Shooter’s preferred salt block.
Redmond Rocks are relatively new to me and I discovered them while searching for a healthier/cleaner/free from chemical salt for myself. Redmond makes salt products for humans and horses. They mine their natural salt rocks from a Jurassic period mineral deposit in Utah. They contain a high mineral content (5% higher than even Himalayan Rock Salt) which clocks in at 60 chelated, naturally balanced minerals. You can read the full list here. They also contain electrolytes to trigger thirst and encourage hydration. They come in a hard rock shape that is dense and heavy and hold up well to weather if used outside. Horses love the natural mineral salt taste and lick it freely. They don’t contain any sweetners, dyes or nasty chemicals. The only negative is that they are heavy and bulky to move around or sit in a feeder and the rough texture can be off putting to some horses. Redmond Rocks are more expensive than the other options but they really do last a long time.
From L to R: Himalayan Rock Salt, White Salt Block, Redmond Rock
