Last Updated on March 2, 2022 by Allison Price
Even if Himalayan Salt for Horses is a new term, chances are you have heard of it. You can hang it on ropes at the feed store, on the shelf of the health food store or as a lamp.
Is Himalayan salt really necessary for horses? Is it worth the price?
Here’s the long version:
Himalayan Salt is a salt rock, which is mined from the Himalayas, Pakistan. It is considered to be the purest.
It is extracted from the mines manually, then it is hand-crushed, washed and dried in the sunlight.
This preserves the natural minerals, as opposed to processed table salt which is mostly sodium chloride.
If you are curious or in a hurry:
My readers love this particular brand of Himalayan salt on rope.
It is a great tool!
Himalayan salt is a great alternative to regular salt blocks that have been sitting unopened for months.
Horses love it and will choose it over other options. This is especially helpful in summer when your horse is sweating, and may need the additional sodium.
It also contains trace elements and natural minerals in small quantities.
How to use it
You can either feed Himalayan salt in a block or add it to your feed.
Blocks are great for horses who are turned out in a herd. The salt is weather-resistant and won’t dissolve in the rain like regular salt blocks.
Blocks attached to the wall or suspended from a rope can be used to reduce boredom in horses. They won’t fall apart when chewed on.
You can add loose Himalayan Salt to your horse’s feed if they don’t seem interested.
Horses usually need between 1-2 oz and 3 – 4 oz per day. However, it is important to ensure that horses are not receiving salt from any other source.
Is it worth it
Maybe. You can skip the regular salt block if your horse is already accustomed to it and you aren’t concerned about their diet.
It’s definitely worth the investment if you want to increase your horse’s intake, have a block that resists weather and chewing, or simply keep your horse entertained.
Tip: Don’t panic if your horse appears to be consuming the first Himalayan saltblock. After a few weeks, their enthusiasm should subside. Make sure you have plenty of water.
