SALT TO LICK OR NOT TO LICK
Having a source of salt for horses is a no brainer. Whether in the stall
or in the pasture, it has been a centuries old practice performed by
horsemen across the globe. So…. What’s there to know?
Even when cold weather has come and the horse is no longer worked as
it is in the summer months, salt is required to maintain equine health. Most
experts agree that a horse needs a minimum of 10 grams of salt per day,
which can be equilibrated to approximately 2 tablespoons of salt. On exercise
days and/or on hot humid days, the amount must be significantly
increased (double or even triple) in order to replace what is sweated
out. Where does this salt come from in order to make sure the needs are
properly met? Although most of the horse’s mineral
uptake can be met with good quality forage, salt
content in hay or grass is not near enough to meet
the minimal requirements. Even the addition of grain
to the diet may not be enough.
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Common salt is a combination
of sodium and chloride and is
essential for basic functioning
of the body. When eaten and
digested, the compound enters the bloodstream, is
ionized and become necessary components of the
electrical signals and communications throughout
the body. In basic terms, it is needed in order for the
nervous and muscular systems to function. Additionally,
sodium tends to “hold” water in the tissues and
performs a major function of keeping everything hydrated
within the body. Dehydration occurs if sodium
needs are not met. If this begins to occur, the sodium
deficient levels are read by the brain and the thirst
mechanism is activated.
Sodium is additionally involved with the glucose
transport system. Glucose is transported across the
cell membranes where it becomes a fuel. If unable to
fill the quota, the body becomes fatigued with weakness
in the muscles and generally poor performance
by all systems. It also is connected with blood sugar
regulation, hormone balance, weight maintenance
and general overall function of the entire horse.
A deficiency of salt can be noted over a period of
time varying from a week or two to months. Since
the deficiency signs are not specific and can be easily
be explained away, it is often ignored. A careful
observation of the horse can assist in pin pointing the
cause. A lack of salt is often depicted by a change in
appetite, licking of objects (e.g. wood, metal, stones,
bark, hands and soil), a decrease in water intake
and potentially colic. Each horse is different in clinical
signs and their needs differ not only between horses
themselves but the activity level as well. Therefore,
salt needs are always in flux making it impossible for
humans to control with regularity.
Start out with a plain white salt block placed within
easy reach of the horse as well as near a water
source. This could be a 50 lb block in a tray in the
pasture or individual block in the stall. The 4-5 pound
block mounted in the stall should be kept clean and
is usually consumed (by biting or licking) in approximately
2 months.
Salt also comes in mineralized form or iodized (although
approximately 90% of the content is still
sodium). The amounts of added minerals needed to
fulfill the horses needs vary with the type of grains,
supplements the horse is given and the local soil
type. In many instances, these salt blocks are bitter
in taste, may be made from substandard inorganic
material that cannot be efficiently digested, and the
horse may not even need the extra minerals all of
which can influence the amount of actual salt taken
in. If these types of blocks are used, it is recommended
that a plain white block be placed beside it.
Another way is to provide the horse with a good
source of natural salt. In many instances, if given the
option of a salt block or a rock of natural salt, the
horse will choose the natural rock and their consumption
will increase significantly. Natural salts are not
pure white in color but are generally reddish to greyish
in hue. This is due, in part, to their natural mineral
content. Because of the natural fissures within the salt
rocks, a softer licking area is make available rather
than the harder white block salt.
BASICS
WHAT IS SALT?
THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION
More...
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