Salt lick is part of the basics

In addition to good and sufficient roughage, you can see the salt lick as a basic element that every horse should have access to. The horse can then choose to use it as needed. Salt licks come in different types, the most famous being the Himalayan salt lick and the red salt licks (nowadays they are white). But there is also a liquid salt lick made from Bering Sea water) concentrate, as well as flavored salt licks.

Salt licks have in common that they mainly contain salt and, depending on the type, a few other minerals. Through a salt lick, your horse can meet its daily needs for these minerals. However, it is important to realize that this may not be sufficient when the horse is sweating.

Horse loses more than just salt when sweating

When a horse sweats, it loses not only sodium (salt) but also potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium. These are the well-known electrolytes. During moderate exercise, a horse can lose about 10 liters of sweat per half hour at temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius. This 10 liters of sweat consists of about 100 grams of salt, an impossible amount for a horse to consume only through a salt lick. And the horse also loses the other electrolytes. A horse that loses a lot of electrolytes will experience an imbalance in its water balance. If these are not replenished, the horse may become lethargic, develop muscle cramps, become dehydrated, and even develop colic. But if a horse sweats so much at 20 degrees, imagine how much it sweats at summer temperatures and during heavier exertion?

Electrolytes often contain dextrose, which can be alarming to horse owners who want to feed their horses as sugar-free as possible. However, dextrose is an energy source that helps your horse recover faster after exercise. If you are concerned about giving dextrose to your (for example, insulin-resistant) horse, consider adding a liquid salt lick to its feed instead of electrolytes. The liquid salt lick from Bering Sea water concentrate is sugar-free and rich in minerals, making it a good alternative.

Every horse has different needs

Does every horse need to be supplemented with electrolytes in warm weather? No, every horse is different and has different needs. Some horses start sweating just by standing in the pasture and prefer to seek shade, while others thrive when the temperature exceeds 24 degrees. It is important to understand how your horse handles heat and whether it sweats a lot. If your horse sweats a lot, it is advisable to give it extra electrolytes. If your horse hardly sweats, it may not be necessary to give electrolytes right away, but keep an eye on whether your horse drinks enough water and uses a salt lick. Sometimes, even horses that do not sweat much can benefit from some electrolytes as they stimulate thirst, ensuring your horse receives enough water on hot days.

Conclusion: a salt lick is a must, electrolytes are a good addition

Depending on the horse, weather conditions, and level of activity, electrolytes can be a beneficial addition to a horse's diet. Consider your horse's needs and how much it sweats. However, we recommend always providing a (liquid) salt lick to your horse so that it has the freedom to obtain important minerals.