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Written by: Jessica Konopinski
Published on: 09/17/2025
Although summer is running down, taking inventory of your horse’s nutritional needs, especially when it comes to salt and sodium intake. Whether you’re still experiencing summer temperatures or want to be prepared for next season, electrolyte balance is crucial year-round. Salt (specifically sodium chloride) isn’t just a seasoning, but rather a vital mineral your horse needs daily to support proper hydration, nerve function, and muscle performance. But here’s the thing: the average horse likely isn’t getting enough of it through feed and forage alone. The confusion often lies in not knowing how much salt your horse actually needs, what signs to watch for, and how to supplement it properly.
Don’t worry — we’ve simplified it all for you so you can stop guessing and start confidently managing your horse’s electrolyte needs. Let’s dive in.
The short answer? Yes. Absolutely. While most horses get trace amounts of sodium and chloride from commercial feeds and hay, it’s rarely enough to meet their daily requirements especially during the warmer months or for horses in consistent work.
Research has shown that sodium chloride (NaCl) is often inadequate in typical equine diets, and both sodium and chloride are considered essential minerals for equine health.[1] These electrolytes are critical for:
Regulating fluid balance
Supporting nerve signaling
Promoting healthy muscle contraction
Aiding digestion and nutrient absorption
This makes salt especially crucial for performance horses, horses in training, and those exposed to high temperatures, where sweat loss can rapidly deplete sodium levels.[2]
According to Kentucky Equine Research, horses need approximately 25 grams of sodium per day and more under strenuous conditions.[2] If your horse doesn’t get enough sodium and continues to lose it through sweat, they could be at risk for a serious electrolyte imbalance.
Recognizing a salt deficiency in horses isn’t always straightforward—but there are several telltale signs to watch out for. Since most horses are likely under-consuming salt, it’s wise to treat some of these behaviors as early red flags:
Excessive licking (walls, fences, other horses, the ground)
Muscle stiffness or signs of tying-up
Poor hydration (not drinking enough water)
Anhidrosis (inability to sweat properly—a severe and dangerous condition)
Excessive licking, in particular, is often misunderstood as a quirk, but it may actually signal that your horse is trying to find salt or other missing minerals in their environment. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s time to take a closer look at your horse’s sodium intake.
The amount of salt a horse needs can vary depending on several factors, including:
Geographic location
Workload and exercise intensity
Weather and climate
Body size and metabolism
On average, an adult horse requires about 1–2 ounces of salt per day, which increases in hot weather or with heavier training schedules.[4] For context:
A horse in light work during cooler months may need closer to 1 oz/day.
A horse in moderate to intense work, especially in warmer climates, may need 3–6 oz/day or more.
Let’s say you have one horse living in Florida (hot, humid, lots of sweat) and another in Vermont (cooler, drier climate). The Florida horse will likely require a significantly higher daily salt intake just to maintain equilibrium.
When it comes to supplementing salt, you have a couple of options and choosing the right one often comes down to your horse’s preferences and management style.
These are exactly what they sound like — large mineral blocks that horses can lick at their leisure. The two most common types are:
Himalayan salt blocks (usually pink, sourced from the Himalayan mountains)
White salt blocks (generally mined or produced from seawater)
Himalayan salt blocks are especially popular due to their higher trace mineral content and durability. However, not every horse will use a block enough to meet their needs, particularly during high-sweat periods or if the block is placed in a less appealing location.
Free salt refers to loose, granulated salt offered in a bucket or mixed with feed. This method is often considered more effective for ensuring adequate intake because it’s easier for horses to consume, especially when worked into meals or wet feeds.
Many nutritionists prefer free-choice loose salt over blocks because horses often can’t or won’t lick enough from a block to meet their needs.
If you’re looking to build a reliable salt routine into your horse’s daily care, here are a few best practices:
Always provide clean, fresh water: increased salt intake means increased thirst, which supports hydration and digestion.
Offer both a salt block and free salt to see which method your horse prefers.
Introduce salt gradually if your horse isn’t used to it, especially when adding loose salt to feed.
Monitor your horse’s intake and sweat output, especially during summer or travel.
Consult with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to fine-tune a salt plan that supports your horse’s specific needs and environment.
Adding salt to your horse’s diet is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve hydration, support muscle and nerve health, and prevent dangerous deficiencies especially in the heat of summer. Whether you opt for a Himalayan salt block, loose sea salt, or an electrolyte blend, the key is consistency and awareness.
If your horse has shown signs of dehydration, stiffness, or salt cravings, it may be time to make some dietary changes. And if you’re unsure where to start, reach out to your veterinarian or equine nutritionist to build a custom salt strategy that supports your horse’s overall wellness.
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✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
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Jessica is a brand consultant who brings awareness and intention to equestrian and pet platforms. As a former collegiate equestrian athlete and animal lover, Jessica leads with passion and experience through her writing and brand work for companies who advocate for creating a difference in their space. When she's not riding her horse or walking her dog (with iced coffee in hand), you can find her sharing her love for health and wellness with others and integrating these practices in her everyday work.
