Salt Consumption in
Horses:
Horses have a
natural craving for salt. Salt is the only mineral for
which a natural appetite exists. An adult horse at pasture will
consume about one-half pound of salt per week, although this is
variable. Horses in training or lactating mares will consume
more.
Consuming salt
encourages your horse to drink water. Keep fresh, clean
water available at all times. Horses prefer their water at a
constant temperature and will avoid drinking if it becomes icy
cold or overly hot. Not consuming enough water leads to
dehydration. This can contribute to many dangerous problems
such as colic and impactions.
Add two to four
ounces of loose de-ionized, or livestock salt to the horse’s
daily ration to ensure that salt needs are met. Although
some feel a salt block is more convenient, it cannot provide the
amounts needed. A horse will turn away from a salt block before
they get what they need because their tongue becomes painful
from the abrasive hard surface of the block. If you do choose
to use a salt block, break it up into gravel size pieces that
the horse can easily take into his mouth and chew.
The most
important, and often ignored nutrient in a horse’s diet is
fresh, clean water, according to Gene Frie, DVM, Sapulpa Vet
Hospital. “By adding salt to the horse’s daily ration, not
only do we help meet the daily salt requirements, but we also
provide a stimulus for the horse to drink. This will help prevent
complications secondary to electrolyte imbalances or
dehydration.”
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