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Salt Licks vs Mineral Blocks: Which is Better for Horses?

Salt Licks vs Mineral Blocks: Which is Better for Horses?

The first time I tossed a salt block into my gelding’s stall, I thought I’d solved everything. Electrolytes? Check. Minerals? Check. Easy, right? Well… not exactly. By the next week, the block was half-gone, slobbery, and looked like it had been through a hurricane. My horse’s stall smelled faintly like damp stone, and I had no clue if he was actually getting the nutrition he needed or just enjoying the novelty of licking.

That was years ago — since then, I’ve experimented with plain salt licks, mineral blocks, loose salt, even Himalayan pink chunks hanging on ropes. Each has its place, and each comes with its quirks. Let’s dig into what I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way).



Why Salt Matters in a Horse’s Diet

Horses sweat — a lot. If you’ve ever run your hand down a horse’s neck after a hot ride, you know the sticky, salty feel that clings to your palm. That’s sodium and chloride leaving the body. Unlike some animals, horses don’t self-regulate electrolytes perfectly. Without enough salt, they can get dehydrated, lethargic, and even colicky.

Most hays and forages don’t provide adequate sodium. That’s why salt supplementation is essential — whether in the form of licks, blocks, or loose salt.

Salt Licks: The Basics

A salt lick is usually just sodium chloride pressed into a block. Sometimes you’ll see them as white salt blocks or as the trendy Himalayan pink salt chunks.

Pros

  • Simple and cheap.

  • Easy to toss in a stall or hang in a field.

  • Horses can self-regulate to a degree — they’ll lick when they want.

  • Durable (lasts weeks or months depending on use).

Cons

  • Not all horses like them. I had one mare who ignored hers for months.

  • Horses can’t always get enough sodium by licking alone, especially in hot climates.

  • Weather matters. Rain can melt them into slimy, chalky messes if left outside.

Personal story: I once hung a Himalayan salt lick in Juno’s stall. He loved it — maybe a little too much. Within two days, he’d gnawed half of it into sharp edges that looked like medieval weapons. I ended up sanding it down (yes, with a rasp) to stop him from cutting his tongue.

Mineral Blocks: A Step Up?

Mineral blocks are basically salt blocks with added trace minerals — things like selenium, copper, zinc, and iron. They’re often the classic red blocks you see at feed stores.

Pros

  • Provides extra trace minerals missing in forage.

  • Convenient “all-in-one” option.

  • Inexpensive and widely available.

Cons

  • Horses can’t always consume enough minerals just by licking.

  • Nutrient levels aren’t tailored — they’re “one size fits all.”

  • Some horses dislike the taste (yes, horses are picky eaters too).

  • Risk of imbalance if the block doesn’t match your region’s forage deficiencies.

Lesson learned: I once thought a mineral block was the magic bullet for my pasture herd. The problem? My area already has selenium-rich soils. Feeding a selenium-heavy block pushed levels too high, and I had to work with my vet to back things down.

Salt vs Mineral Blocks: Which is Better?

The short answer: it depends.

  • If your horse gets a balanced ration or fortified feed, a plain salt lick may be plenty.

  • If your horse eats mostly grass hay and pasture with no fortified feed, a mineral block can help fill gaps.

  • But — and here’s the kicker — mineral needs vary by region, forage, and even breed. A red block may not solve what your horse actually lacks.

That’s why I’ve shifted to offering loose plain salt daily (in feed) and hanging a block as backup. That way, I know they’re getting at least the baseline sodium, and the block is more of a supplement than the sole source.

Loose Salt: The Unsung Hero

Not as pretty as a Himalayan rock, but loose plain white salt is practical. Sprinkle 1–2 tablespoons into feed daily, especially in hot weather. Horses rarely object, and you control the intake.

Loose salt also avoids the problem of horses who ignore blocks or can’t lick enough to meet needs.

Pro tip: I keep a small container of iodized table salt in my tack trunk for emergencies. After a sweaty trail ride, I’ll mix some into a wet mash. It looks simple, but it keeps hydration levels steady.

Seasonal and Regional Challenges

  • Hot, humid summers: Horses lose buckets of electrolytes through sweat. Blocks alone rarely keep up. Add loose salt daily.

  • Cold winters: Horses drink less water when it’s icy. Salt encourages thirst — sprinkle some in warm mash to keep water intake up.

  • Regional differences: In selenium-poor areas (like the Northwest US), mineral blocks can help. In selenium-rich areas, go easy or risk toxicity.

“It Would Be Even Better If…”

It would be even better if manufacturers were more transparent about exact mineral levels in blocks — and if they made region-specific blends. Imagine walking into a feed store and picking a mineral block tailored to your area’s forage profile. That would save owners from either overdosing or under-supplying trace minerals.

Common Mistakes I’ve Made

  1. Leaving blocks in the rain. I once set a red mineral block outside. After one storm, it dissolved into a rusty puddle that stained my gelding’s nose orange.

  2. Assuming all horses lick the same. Some lick obsessively, others ignore completely. Don’t rely on the block alone.

  3. Skipping loose salt. For years, I thought the block was “enough.” My vet was the one who pushed me to feed measured loose salt — and my horses started drinking better almost overnight.

Practical Tips

  • Always provide free-choice water with salt.

  • Offer both plain salt and a mineral block if you’re unsure — horses sometimes prefer one over the other.

  • Keep blocks in a holder or hung on a rope to avoid waste.

  • Check mineral content in your feed before deciding if a mineral block is needed.

My Recommendations

FAQs

Q: Can I just give table salt instead of a block?
Yes — plain loose salt works fine. Blocks are more about convenience.

Q: Do horses overeat salt if it’s available free-choice?
Rarely. Most self-regulate, but a few “salt junkies” exist. That’s why measured loose salt in feed is smart.

Q: What about flavored or molasses blocks?
They’re tasty but often add unnecessary sugar. I avoid them.

Q: Do all horses need mineral blocks?
Not if they get a balanced fortified feed. Blocks are more useful for forage-only diets.

Q: How do I know if my horse is getting enough salt?
Signs of deficiency: dull coat, poor appetite, dehydration, muscle cramps. Best way is to feed measured loose salt daily.

Final Takeaway

Salt licks and mineral blocks both have their place — but neither is a magic bullet. Horses need sodium every day, and blocks alone may not cover it. For me, the winning combo has been daily loose salt plus a block as free-choice backup. That way, I cover the basics while still giving them some choice.

So, watch how your horse responds. Is the block untouched? Are they drinking enough? Adjust along the way — because like most things in horse care, what works for one gelding in Oregon might not work for a pony in Texas.


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