The ancient Greeks
traded salt for slaves
– hence the saying
“worth his salt”.
58 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
EE
Is Your Horse Worth his
SALT?
THE WAY OF HORSES
By Eleanor Blazer
Copyright @ 2019
EQUINE Health
Early Roman soldiers were partially paid in salt (salarium
argentum, which is where the word “salary”
originated).
A severe salt deficiency can cause your horse to die.
Napoleon had thousands of soldiers die during his
retreat from Moscow when wounds would not heal
due to a “salt deficiency”.
Salt is an essential nutrient – the body needs it, but
cannot manufacturer it. Salt must be provided in the
diet.
Sodium is an electrolyte. Electrolytes are electrically
charged particles called ions. These ions can be
lost through sweat. They are necessary for cellular
metabolism, a balanced cellular system and the
production of energy using calories. Sodium helps
maintain hydration and is important to muscle contraction
and nerves.
Chloride is an electrolyte. It has a negative charge
while sodium has a positive charge. The balance
between the two helps maintain healthy blood cells.
Blood is self-regulating (homeostatic). It will go to
great lengths to maintain its normal stability – even
to the point of robbing nutrients from other organs. If
salt is not available through diet, the blood will steal
the salt present in urine and sweat. But urine and
sweat production cannot be stopped and the blood
returns the salt to the kidneys and sweat glands. The
body tries to maintain itself by diluting the urine and
sweat with more water to try to keep from robbing
the salt from the blood and excreting it. The body’s
tissues become dehydrated while the blood tries to
maintain its normalcy.
An average sized horse (1100-pounds), at rest, needs
about two ounces of salt per day. Four – five ounces
may be needed on hot days and during strenuous
exercise when sweat is being produced.
There is some salt in commercially produced feeds.
If the product is fed according to the feeding directions
an ounce of salt per day may be provided by
the feed. This is not enough salt.
I do not like salt blocks. Blocks of salt were designed
for cattle. Cattle have rough tongues. That is why
many horses bite and destroy the blocks…they are
trying to get the needed salt.
I recommend loose white granulated salt – it looks
just like table salt. Feed stores will have it in 50-pound
bags. It will be more economical than the blocks.
You will get more salt for your money.
Horses that are salt starved must be introduced to
salt slowly. Salt poisoning is possible if salt is suddenly
available. Symptoms of salt poisoning are digestive
upset and cramps.
Salt is the only mineral which horses know they need.
Horses can be deficient in copper or any other mineral
and not consume the needed amounts when
they are available. But horses will eat salt if their
body needs it.
Along with salt, horses need water. Water is the most
important nutrient. Increased consumption of salt
will increase water intake. A full salt feeder next to
a fresh clean bucket of water is required in all horse
areas – at all times.
Salt and water…it’s simple and it’s cheap…and your
horse is worth it.
Salt consists of sodium and chloride (NaCl).
Approximately six teaspoons equals one ounce.
Salt must be provided in some form
…block or loose.
Earn Professional Certification as Horse
Trainer, Stable Manager or Riding
Instructor. All courses are online. Visit
www.equinestudiesinstitute.org
for information.
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