Posted 2009-03-23 9:47 AM (#101932 - in reply to #100807) Subject: RE: supplementing salt
Veteran
Posts: 192 Location: Hutto, TX
What Sisely said is about what I do as well. My horses pretty much ignore both the salt and mineral blocks so I may switch to the granuala, but that didn't work too well outside the last time I tried it. We'll see.
Posted 2009-03-23 1:56 PM (#101950 - in reply to #100807) Subject: RE: supplementing salt
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Never heard of horses ignoring blocks.Nor much any animal.Goats,deer etc.I bought pasture mineral feeders.The ones that spin and turn with wind and rain.About $180 bucks each.On my second set.First lasted about 10 years and finally rotted apart.I do have a few mares on one pasture that I just use mineral blocks.Any one wanting to buy any equine just inquire.I'd sure like to be shed of some.
Posted 2009-03-25 1:36 PM (#102069 - in reply to #100807) Subject: RE: supplementing salt
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
My horses seem to mainly ignore their salt licks, which is why I wondered about adding the loose salt to their feed. I have both plain, and mineral blocks. I started to add a bit of the loose salt to their feed last week and they gobble it up. I'm only at a tsp/horse so far, but will try increasing it as the weather gets hotter and I ride longer. I haven't noticed bigger wet spots in their corrals, so it hasn't increased water consumption too much yet, and that's the ultimate goal.
Posted 2009-03-26 7:06 AM (#102120 - in reply to #100807) Subject: RE: supplementing salt
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 378 Location: Nebraska
Just some food for thought. Salt is about 39% sodium and 61% chloride. 75%-95% of the intake of salt is absorpted in digestion. Salt is the only mineral horses will seek out if they need it. A horse low on cooper will not go find a cooper lick, or a calcium lick, or a phosphorus lick. But if they are low on sodium they will go find a salt lick. Signs of salt toxicity include colic, diarrhea, frequent urination, paralysis, staggering and weakness.
Posted 2009-03-26 7:28 AM (#102122 - in reply to #100807) Subject: RE: supplementing salt
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
In pastures that I use blocks I stopped using the white blocks a number of years ago.I use mineral blocks only that contain salt.Use to put out pairs,white and mineral.I do have one pastue that the grls on it don't go through blocks as fast as the other pasture.Depends also on the stage of growth.I've noticed horses here at home on pasture are in the mineral feeders more this past month.New grass is coming up also.
supplementing salt
