Salt Blocks or Free Choice.Topic by stonehedgeJanuary 14, 2010 01:06AM
I was reading an interesting article about free choice salt versus blocked salt... again people I need some insight.... If you interested in the link to the article here you are ......
[www.thenaturalvet.net] I realize this is an advertisement of sorts but please tell me what are all of you using. Stoney Reply by yescatJanuary 14, 2010 06:18AM
HI, I have a mineral block outside and he get 4tbs of blue salt loose in his feed at night this seems to be working for me in the winter, in the summer he has both blocks inside and out. Reply by JazzManJanuary 15, 2010 06:03AM
I just sprinkle a tbsp. or two over their bowl feed stonehedge - twice daily.
Just realized tho that the horse with the 'wet' food is the only one who really gets it all - the other two leave some in the bowl. No salt licks - just found they were not using them - they got messy - deteriorated etc. and it took too long to figure out if they were not getting salt and who etc. BTW yescat - I heard at some point NOT to give horses mineral (rust color?) blocks - they were more for cattle - horses were to have the blue - or is that one of those 'wives tales'...  Reply by yescatJanuary 15, 2010 07:06AM
Hi Jazz I have blue and rust ones outside and for some reason he will only lick the rust one not the blue one maybe he just thinks he is a cow lol Reply by qhcuttingirlJanuary 15, 2010 10:35AM
I always choose to feed free choice loose blue/white salt...I've worked endlessly with feed companies and a horse's tongue is not as rough as a cow's tongue therefore their tongue gets sore before they can get enough salt...I never force feed it to any of mine (although the barn where my mom works at puts in a small handful with each feeding) and I've found the younger ones especially will eat it all up...you have to watch for babies as they will eat and eat and eat it...and then have the scoots...so I give them a measured feeding...but I found weanlings, yearlings and 2 yr olds eat the most...my older broodmares hardly touch it...I do have a 5 yr old who does eat it quite well...but this is my own personal routine Reply by RachelJanuary 15, 2010 11:53AM
I have always just offered the salt licks. Both inside and out year round. They do go through them and I really find quite often when I bring a new horse home like Kaeli for example: She went through 2 licks in 2 weeks then backed right off again, so I'm guessing she needed it?
I'd be interested in the set up to offer the loose salt? Outside? Just thinking it would melt away far too fast if left in a hanging bucket for example.. Reply by JazzManJanuary 15, 2010 04:52PM
And does anyone have their hay tested and know the sodium content? One of the reasons that I (almost) force feed loose salt in their bowls is because my hay analysis consistently came back with almost zero sodium. (and of course we all need salt)
Wondering if that's typical of hay or just my good luck?
Routine bloodwork showed my mares to be low end of normal for sodium levels - so figured the salt 'program' was working reasonably for them. Reply by AdveristyJanuary 15, 2010 06:07PM
Salt licks where not designed for horses. But rather the rough tongues of cattle.
I would say loose salt would be the best. I hang pails in each paddock, with a cup or two of salt and redman mineral. Touch wood all has been well. Reply by qhcuttingirlJanuary 17, 2010 06:43PM
I actually have the pails set up inside their stalls as I've had the unfortunate luck of having to add new salt everyday because of the moisture here...I hang them in the stalls and when they come in at night, they can help themselves Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
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