Salt

Question
I have a 12-15 yr old Arabian gelding, he loves to go through electric fencing, doesn't seem to mind the shock, so until the owner of the place he is boarded can get the fencing taken care of my poor boy is stuck in a stall. It's summer, it's humid, he is hot and drenched most of the time. To many times I have found him without water in either of his buckets. He does not like the salt block, it's mineral so someone recommended loose salt and just hand feed it to him. My questions are: How much would I hand feed? and I know if he gets salt he is going to really want to drink, so if he is not getting enough water will that salt hurt him, I'm a new horse owner and want to do the very best for my boy, I just love him like crazy.

Answer
Hi BJ,

Thank you for your question.  Your horse certainly should have access to salt as it he needs to replenish the sodium lost in sweating.  Quite honestly I prefer feeding loose salt instead of salt blocks.  Salt blocks were designed for cattle and horses generally give up licking the block long before they have consumed enough salt.  I like to start by feeding about 1/8 cup of salt a day...and increase the amount with the increased amount of exercise and/or sweating the horse is doing.  HOWEVER, you should not feed loose salt if your horse does not have access to enough water...it could be unhealthy for your horse.  Even without the salt, your horse is running the risk of suffering from dehydration when kept in a hot environment without enough water (which can increase the risk of heat stress and colic).  I would really urge you to find a way to ensure that your horse has enough water throughout the day (is there any way you can put an extra or larger bucket in the stall?).  Once you have sorted that problem out, then you could start feeding the loose salt.  The salt is important...but you best wait until you can get enough water.

Thanks, Corlena