The Best Supplement Ever

Salt. Yes, salt.

Salt is essential for horses for several reasons:

1. Muscle contraction and nerve impulses: Sodium, a component of salt, is important for muscle contraction and the conduction of nerve impulses.

2. Digestion: Sodium aids in the digestion of protein.

3. Nutrient absorption: Sodium plays a key role in the absorption of essential nutrients within the small intestine.

4. Maintenance of blood pH: Chloride, another component of salt, enhances the transport of carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs and is essential for the maintenance of blood pH.

5. Hydration and fluid balance: Salt, being an electrolyte, helps to maintain fluid balance and hydration. It is continually lost through body fluids such as sweat, saliva, and urine, therefore it must be constantly replenished. Before you buy electrolytes, try salt.

6. Stimulates thirst: A horse’s sodium levels are what signals them to drink, stimulating their thirst response.

If a horse does not have access to salt for a prolonged period, salt deficiency will develop. Possible symptoms may include pica (eating unusual things), dehydration, lethargy, lack of sweat, decreased appetite and weight loss, reduced muscle coordination, and lowered milk production in lactating mares.

When you are heading in to warmer weather, if you rug your horse, or your horse is in work, it's important to monitor your salt supplementation. The standard 500kg horse requires approximately 30-50 grams of salt daily throughout the year just to meet its essential maintenance needs.

Salt or mineral blocks can be offered to your horse. Avoid commercially available blocks containing sulphur, which they generally don't need, or molasses, which they definitely don't need.

Himalayan Rock salt blocks are a good option for owners or pleasure or retired horses.

Himalayan Salt Block with Rope 1 - 1.5kg

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The downside is that you don't know how much salt your horse is consuming - particularly if the salt block is shared. If your horse is in work, you may choose to add salt so that you can be sure they are meeting their minimum requirement.

Loose salt can be added directly into your horse’s daily feed at a rate of approximately 2 tablespoons per day for a 500kg horse. Always add some water to dampen your feed and mix through your feeds well. Horses excrete excess salt in urine.

We also supply loose, fine Himalayan Salt. It's our preference because it is less processed than many other forms of salt.

Himalayan Salt - Loose/Fine

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Another cause of muscle cramping is magnesium deficiency. If you're looking for a magnesium supplement, check out Calm Mix.

For more information about magnesium supplementation, read this blog post.

Calm Mix

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