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Discussion on Salt blocks and horses
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New Member:
Annie1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 20, 2005 - 6:14 pm:
I have read that free choice salt and minerals, (in block forms) may not be the best way for a horse to get this nutrition, because the blocks are designed for cows that have rougher tongues than horses, therefore the horse will not get as much as they should. Would it be better to buy a feed with salt and minerals already in it or top dress the feed with ones own mix of salt and minerals?
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Member:
Lilly
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 20, 2005 - 9:17 pm:
Duane,
I have friends who prefer to add salt and minerals to their horse's feed because they can better regulate their intake. Some horses never touch their salt blocks and others eat them super fast. Ann.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 21, 2005 - 6:35 am:
While they might not have rough tongues, unlike cows they have a full complement of incisors: they have no problem getting salt from a block. The idea that you can better insure that a controlled proper amount is definitely a advantage of loose salts added to the feed.
DrO
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Member:
Eoeo
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 21, 2005 - 8:37 am:
Dr. O, what would be the amount you would add to a horse's feed? Since our stallion Basket Weave never touched his salt block when we first got him, I have added about 1 tablepoon of table salt to his grain, every day. Is that enough? He stillhas a salt block too but it looks like new other than the dust on it. EO
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 21, 2005 - 10:32 am:
Good question...I would like to know too. Also, when do you throw these old salt/mineral blocks away? They are old and get dirty and look like the horses aren't touching them.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 21, 2005 - 1:04 pm:
For the types of salts available and amounts to give, see the article associated with this discussion: Care for Horses » Nutrition » Minerals and Nutrition.
DrO
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Member:
Trouble
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 21, 2005 - 1:08 pm:
Ann,
whenever my salt blocks are looking a little dusty, I just spray them off with the hose and they look brand new again (well, almost!)
My pony will lick holes in his that make it look like an egg crate, but my gelding takes forever to get rid of his. They eventually get dusty and dirty but wash off pretty good. I can't remember the last time I bought a new one, but I don't think they go bad.
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 21, 2005 - 3:20 pm:
Thanks Lisa. In the past, I have thrown old ones away and purchased new ones but before long they look just as bad. Glad to know they are still ok to use.
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