Do you add or offer salt for your horses to eat? Sodium deficiency is a real issue for a large number of horses!

Typically hay and grain does not provide enough salt for your horses daily requirements. They should be consuming approximately 2 Tbsp per day - and this amount should increase relative to their sweat production and environment, possibly with seasonal fluctuations.

ROLE: The macromineral is considered natures electrolyte and is essential for healthy nerve and muscle function. Salt also encourages your horse to stay drinking which means they will stay hydrated. Remaining hydrated is essential for preventing impactions within the gut.

SIGNS OF DEFICIENCY: Any horse who really enjoys a salt lick might be trying to tell you something. If they’re biting at it, they may be hinting at the fact that they want more, but need it in a different form. Horses that lick the soil might also be searching for something whether it be salt, or another mineral.

SALT BLOCKS: Providing a salt lick is a great boredom buster and way to offer salt, but loose salt offered free choice is even better. This makes it easier to select what exact type of salt your horse is eating and allows you to monitor their consumption. Salt licks were also designed for other livestock with rougher tongues who can handle hours of licking.

LOOSE SALT: Many owners choose to offer a salt pan for their horses to lick from free choice. This is a great option as it allows your horse to take as they need. And it would be incredibly difficult for them to overdo it with intake!

ADDED SALT: Many owners elect to add loose salt into their horses “grain”. As they say, you can lead a horse to water but can’t make it drink. Sometimes, they might not consume the free choice salt we’ve offered, however that doesn’t mean they don’t need it. Adding salt to their ‘grain’ is ideal as we can safely assume most horses would benefit from it. Should they require more, the loose salt is available.

INTRODUCE GRADUALLY: When humans consume salt, 1 Tablespoon is quite a bit! This can be rather unsettling for your horse as they go to dig into their meal with added salt for the first time. As with ANY new supplement, introduce gradually, even a pinch per day if you have to. Over time, increase as tolerated until you’ve reached your desired amount.

WHAT KIND OF SALT: Providing iodized salt is perfectly fine as iodine is a necessary nutrient. However, any horse consuming kelp may be receiving more than enough iodine already. Cheap table salt works fine. Unrefined sea salt is a great option too.

Check out TheHolisticHorse.com for a 5lbs bag of Unrefined Sea Salt for $27 + shipping.