Question

I own a 13-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding. He is moderately fleshy at 1,300 lb (590 kg), so he could stand to lose some weight. In the summer, I ride daily and occasionally take long trail rides that last up to five hours. In the winter, the gelding is idle. He maintains his weight easily on pasture, hay, and a balancer pellet. My question specifically concerns his free-choice salt: Can I use solar salt like that in water softeners to fulfill my horse’s salt requirement?

Answer

As a natural product, solar salt is obtained mainly through evaporation of seawater or inland brine sources. Products contain varying amounts of sodium chloride, some as much as 99%. Because these products are almost entirely sodium chloride, they are likely suitable for free-choice consumption by horses. Engaging an equine nutritionist to scan the composition of the specific product, which should be found on the packaging, will ease concerns over its appropriateness for horses.

Depending on how the solar salt has been prepared for sale, it may not be as easy for horses to consume as granular salt. Solar salt is usually sold in crystal form, and the unusual texture might slow or stop consumption. Crystals with particularly rough edges or jagged points may injure the soft tissues of the mouth, which could cause problems with eating or bitting. Because of this risk, you may consider selecting a more conventional form of supplementation such as loose or block salt.

Should you decide to feed solar salt, the product will be novel to your horse, so do not worry if he seems to consume an excessive amount in the first day or two he has access to it. Horses will sometimes overeat salt when a new source is offered. As long as the behavior is short-lived and consumption tapers to a more normal level in a day or two, this is not harmful.