Salt and Electrolytes

Most mixed feeds have salt included in their ingredients. But I like having a salt block in the stalls at all times anyway. Horses need free access to salt day and night. If a horse likes licking the salt from a salt block holder hanging in his stall, you'll know because it'll have the obvious lick marks.

That might sound a little too elementary, but it never ceases to astound me, even in big "high power" stables, how little regard is paid to that salt block after it has been installed: a great deal of them are just sitting there gathering dust and cobwebs. Pay attention. If you fed your horse and he didn't eat, you'd be concerned. Be concerned about the salt block. If the horse isn't using it, put it in their feed tub. They'll have to move it around to get to their feed, and will end up getting the additional salt that way. I am a firm believer that horses should have salt in their daily diets year round, not just in summer months.

I don't add electrolytes unless I have a horse that sweats a lot. It's at simple as that. Racehorses sweat during and after a race, they need electrolytes. Polo ponies do, too, and event horses. It's rare for a day-in and day-out pleasure horse to need them. If they do, follow the instructions.

Don't add more than needed. Watch for excessive sweating with horses out in the heat of day. A school horse that clods along during lesson after lesson, is less likely to need electrolytes than the horse that is "a handful" going over jumps for fifteen minutes or cross country at an accelerated pace. Be wise, know the horse. A horse that has been ridden hard, particularly on a hot summer day that doesn't sweat is cause for concern. Call your veterinarian and act quickly.