The horses need about 1-2 ounces of salt a day to meet their requirements.If your horse sweats a lot and lives in a hot climate, he may need 3-6 ounces of salt a day.abnormal eating behaviors like licking or chewing objects that have salt or licking and eating dirt can be developed by a horse with inadequate salt levels.Poor muscle coordination and other health issues can be caused by the horse drinking less water and eating less.Make a loose salt mix or salt block to make sure your horse is getting enough salt.
Step 1: Salt is supposed to be used for animal consumption.
If you want to buy salt in bulk, look for it at your local pet store or feed store.Red salt, or salt that is meant for de-icing roads, is not a mineral salt blend.If you want your horse to lick the salt lick, start with plain white salt or iodized table salt.The type of salt that is best for your horse depends on his needs.Table salt is a great option for your horse.If horses are not getting enough supplements in their diet, iodized salt or trace mineral salt may be better for them.If you are giving your horse commercial feed, he does not need iodized salt as he is already getting enough iodine in his diet.A build up of iodine in your horse can cause other health issues.Before giving your horse any homemade products, talk to your vet.
Step 2: There is salt in your horse's feed.
For a few days, give your horse two cups of salt a day.If you want your horse to get used to the taste of the salt, build up a full dose of it every day.If your horse is living in a hot climate and sweats a lot, you may want to start with two or three cups of water a day and increase the dose over a period of one to two weeks.Most horses only consume as much salt as they need.Start with a controlled amount of feed in order to get your horse used to the salt.
Step 3: Put a bucket of salt in your horse's stall.
If you would rather allow your horse to consume salt of his own accord when he feels salt deprived, you can fill a bucket halfway with salt and hang it in an area that is easy to access in his stall.There is a location that protects the bucket from the weather.It is a good option for horses who are just starting to get used to salt in their diet, as free-choice salt consumption may be more inviting than licking a salt block that will be rough on your horse's tongue.
Step 4: Make sure your horse gets plenty of fresh water.
Your horse will benefit from lots of fresh, clean water.The water will help your horse flush out excess salts from his system.If your horse is getting too much salt and not enough water, he may urinate more often and drink more water.If you give him enough fresh water in his stall, he should be able to balance his salt intake with his water intake.
Step 5: There could be issues with the salt blocks.
Cattle have rough tongues that make it easy to get salt by licking a hardened salt block.Older horses may not be able to get the salt they need from a salt block.You should keep this in mind when choosing between a loose salt mix that you scatter in your horse's feed or a salt block you hang in his stall.If a horse has access to a salt block, they can overindulge in salt.When you give a salt block to your horse, you have less control over how much salt he consumes.Horses regulate their own salt intake when they have access to a salt block because it requires less maintenance.
Step 6: The block of salt should be made.
If your horse's feed does not contain any minerals or if you are not giving him a supplement for vitamins and minerals, use salt.You can use plain, white salt if you use feed or a concentrate with minerals.You will need 14 lbs of table salt, iodized salt or mineralized salt to make your own salt block.The bone meal was 3.3 lbs.1.3 lbs of lime.3.5 lbs clay.There is water.A tub or large bowl.A stick or spoon.There were old pots and pans.Don't add molasses to your salt blocks.The sweet taste of the molasses salt block can cause health issues for horses.
Step 7: In a large bowl or tub, put the 14 lbs of salt, 3.3 lbs bone meal, 1.3 lbs lime, and 3.5 lbs clay.
The texture will be easier to mix if you add enough water.Use a wooden spoon or stick to mix the ingredients.You don't want the mixture to become watery if you continue to add water as it is easy to stir and blend the ingredients.If you can easily stir and blend the mixture with a wooden spoon or stick, it will have the right consistency.
Step 8: The water should be removed from the mixture.
If you feel the mixture has been thoroughly mixed, you should drain as much water as you can from it.You can't get any more water out of the mixture until you do this.
Step 9: You can mold the mixture into blocks with your hands.
Try to mold the mixture into blocks that are around four to five pounds because most salt blocks for horses come in five pound blocks.Blocks should be the size of a standard paving brick.It will fit in standard wall mounts or dishes.The blocks can be placed in old pots or pans.The blocks can be left in a shaded area to dry.It will take two weeks.
Step 10: You can hang the salt block in the stall.
You can either hang the salt block using rope or put it on the ground, which is easy to access in your horse's stall.If you have multiple horses in one area, make sure your horse is getting enough salt block.If a horse is getting enough salt in his diet, he should consume a five-pound salt block within two months.A wall mount can be found on the wall of the stall.The mount has a salt block that is easy for your horse to eat.You can get a dish for the salt if you keep your horse in a field.Hanging the salt block will ensure it stays cleaner for longer and more appetizing than if it is lying on the ground.
Step 11: Provide your horse with lots of water.
Give your horse lots of fresh, clean water so that he can process the salt in his diet.If your horse has access to fresh, clean water and a daily salt intake, he will be able to excrete excess salts from his system.
Step 12: The salt block needs to be kept clean.
Exposure to the elements and dirt in his stall can cause your horse's salt block to get dirty over time.Keeping the salt block clean will make it more attractive to your horse.It's a good idea to wash the block with water in a metal or plastic tub.