Occasionally you may come across a horse with a large appetite for salt, whether it’s salt blocks, salt licks, or loose salt. Can a horse have too much salt? Will it harm your horse?
This is a question we've heard from horse owners for decades. We've been in the salt business for many years, and have yet to see a case of a horse eating too much salt. In rare situations, however, in can occur.
Salt Toxicosis: It Happens, but Rarely
Why do horses eat salt? Salt, especially mineral salt, provides many benefits to horses. In fact, it's the most crucial mineral horses require. While horses usually only consume as much as their body needs, occasionally a horse may eat too much salt.
Salt toxicity in horses includes symptoms of colic, diarrhea, drinking too much water, frequent urination, and general weakness. A horse displaying these signs should be seen by a vet immediately.
Salt is water-soluble, so generally a horse will naturally balance salt intake by drinking water to flush out any excess. You should always ensure your horse has access to fresh, clean water when using a mineral block or loose salt mix.