How important do you consider a salt lick to be?

[MochaDun]

My horse has access to a salt/mineral lick in his stable all year round if he wants it. I think I've just always thought that you never know what is lacking from the pasture and therefore the grass they're kept on and with not much access to any good grass in the winter the minerals are important then and in the summer when hot. I'm quite surprised that some people never give their horse a salt lick, summer or winter. Should I be or is it no big deal? I also think they are quite important when horses are on box rest.

 

[Dancing Queen]

very imp. mine have them in their stables and get through them like smarties!

 

[jenz87]

I know several horses that dont have one and theyre fine, i know other horses that "need" one.
I give mine one and she never touches it!! Not one lick in 6mnths so a bit of a waste of money!!

 

[quirky]

Mine also has one at all times.

It's funny because it can go for ages not being touched and then she seems to go great guns at it for a while, then has a lull again.

I have that Himalayan rock slat which she seems to like, she won't touch the "traditional" block type ones.

 

[FairyLights]

mine have a salt lick and a mineral lick in their stables and also in the field shelters. They are very important.

 

[rhino]

Mine normally has a salt lick in his stable although he's out 24/7 at the moment. He does have a tablespoon of salt added to his feed (or electrolytes if he has been working hard)

 

[Luci07]

Important. If they want them they will use them, if they don't need the salt they won't bother

 

[missyme10]

Both mine have them in their stables. The way I see it is if they need them they are there, both are quite keen on them at times, then they seem to go weeks not bothering with them x

 

[Baluga]

All mine have a Himalayan rock salt thingy in their stables all year round so they can have it at their will when they're in.

I personally think they're important, and wouldn't not have one

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Important. If they want them they will use them, if they don't need the salt they won't bother

Exactly!
One of ours goes through Himalayan salt licks at a rate of knots, the others barely touch them.

 

[darkhorse123]

I agree they are important as and when your horse needs them.
When i first bought my horse he went through them pretty quickly, 4 big ones a year - now he hardly touches it - only 1 this year so far, but its there for him in case x

 

[**Vanner**]

Mine always have access to one each. If they need them they'll use them.

 

[Emilieu]

My boy has one. He's never so much as looked at it but if he ever wants it then its there!

 

[babymare]

ok first 3 yrs made sure one there but was never used and mmmmm it wasnt so now i dont offer and do you know she loooks brilliant ok she carries weight due to eyes - but even thats great as not obese(yet lol) but her coat her eyes everything is brill and vet just amazes at her lol my litttle half blind tubby mare - sometimes good feed is all they need and im not complacent

 

[Shantara]

I bought one for Ned and he looked at it...looked at me...looked at it. Walked off and never touched it. However, Ziggy, Ned's field mate loved it! So I'm glad someone liked it!

 

[cob&onion]

I have one in the field, they all go at it especially the TB, infact i ran out around 3 weeks ago and found the TB was licking the mud and had made a big groove in the ground where the fence post is!! must remember to get another lick tomorrow! just reminded me.

 

[MochaDun]

I asked as a box rest horse been desperate to lick my hand for salt I assume when I've gone to talk to him over the door and been licking the floor in the stable he's now in - I'm guessing as near front is under where a salt lick may have been. I offered him my horse's one over the door and he was desperate for it - but that may have been boredom as he gets stressed being in by himself. Does being on bute make a horse like salt more? Only that another horse on yard on box rest and bute also seems to be quite keen on her own Himalayan lick that she has in her stable also I noticed.

 

[Tnavas]

According to my mare they are exceedingly important - every morning when I turn her oout she goes to her block and has a good lick.

Because it is spring here she has a Magnesium Salt block to look after the effect of fast grass growth. Later on she will get a multi mineral salt lick.