Salt for Horses: Form Affects Water Intake

The form of salt offered to horses could impact its effectiveness in encouraging the horse to drink. Researchers examined voluntary salt and water intake when offered loose salt or block salt.

The researchers measured the amount of salt and water consumed by four Thoroughbreds over two four-week periods.

The horses consumed more loose salt than block salt during weeks 2 and 3. During week 4, their intake of loose salt dropped while consumption of block salt increased. Horses in both groups decreased water intake during week 2 of the study.

The researchers concluded that horses with access to loose salt drank considerably more water than horses with access to block salt, although their use of block salt was more consistent over the study period. Both groups used around 20-27 grams (0.7-0.95 ounces) of salt per day.

Read more from “Advances in Equine Nutrition II.”