Question

My gelding has an obsession with salt blocks and appears to be overloading on sodium. He has gone through two large white salt blocks in about 40 days. He is on sparse pasture, has access to a round bale, and gets alfalfa hay along with a low-starch feed twice a day. He drinks a lot of water and because of this urinates a ton. He is becoming more and more picky about eating his feed and is stocking up in all four legs. What can I do to correct this?

Answer

Horses can develop salt toxicosis, but it is a rare condition that can be especially concerning if there is inadequate water intake. Increased urination triggers the thirst response in an effort to excrete excessive sodium and chloride. The lack of water to flush sodium results in excessive levels in the blood. Other signs of salt toxicosis include colic, diarrhea, weakness, recumbency, and death.

Removing all salt and mineral blocks from the paddock and stall is advised since he doesn’t seem to have the ability to regulate his intake when it is offered free choice. Approximately one week after removing the salt blocks you can start adding a small amount (1 tsp/day) of salt to his feed, assuming his appetite has returned. Keeping a constant source of forage available to horses in drylots is a good way to reduce the chance of horses consuming the salt blocks too quickly out of boredom.