Good morning!
Let's talk about your horses and salt. I read an interesting post on Facebook written by Eicher Horsemanship in regards to this topic. I am going to summarize what I took out of that post. I am also going to talk about the minerals and trace elements that make up the pink Himalayan salt that we prefer to use.
- Salt blocks/bricks were designed for cattle because they have rough tongues much like a cat, enabling them to lick the block and get enough salt. While in a herd situation there are also enough cows to actually use up the block.
- Horses have smooth tongues much like dogs and even us. They need 2-3 tablespoons of salt daily to get enough salt so that the bodily functions that require salt are getting the appropriate amount to do their job.
- It would take a horse hours of licking a salt block/brick to actually get enough to "meet" those requirements of daily salt intake. Not only that but they eventually will give up and ignore the blocks, not only that but they can get salt burns on their tongues! Anyone get one of those before?
I will add to that the natural salt licks (Pink Himalayan) are totally different than the compressed salt and mineral blocks we buy at Tractor Supply or the tack shop. First off, I've never been a fan of those, I swear horses will have them gone in two days or less.
I personally prefer the Himalayan licks for a few reasons, 1. They are hard and they can't bite them and it flakes everywhere, 2. Natural Salt and Mineral ingredients, 3. You can leave them in the field, and they won't dissolve like the bricks you get in the store.
Here are some facts about the Himalayan Salt.
- High natural mineral content: Contains Iron, Potassium and Magnesium. (The mass-produced blocks you see in the store the minerals are added during manufacturing). *See Below*
- Also naturally contains trace elements. *See Below*
- They literally are rock solid so chunks can't be bitten off which is the problem with the compressed blocks that are "pressed."
- You can leave them outside as due to their composition they are more weather resistant
Here are some of the naturally occurring minerals and trace elements that can be found in the Himalayan Salt.
Iodine - helps to regulate healthy thyroid functions, metabolisms, and cellular oxidation.
Calcium - we all know this helps with strong bones and teeth health.
Hydrogen - this helps produce protons for ATP production (Adenosine Triphosphate). ATP is what allows your (or your horses) muscles to produce the exercise, ATP creates the energy to allow it to happen.
Oxygen - this breaks down sugar particles into carbon dioxide and water.
Nitrogen - this helps with better digestion.
Phosphorus - helps form not only RNA but also DNA in your body. It helps with cellular communication, enzyme reactions, and helps to catalyze vitamin B-complex.
Carbon - I hope we all took biology to know that this is one of the basic building blocks of the body. The atoms help to build larger biomolecules.
Chromium - this is an essential element of the GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor) which regulates insulin function and also aids in energy production.
Sodium - again back to biology to know that this helps to maintain the body's fluidity inside and outside of cells and it is the acid-base balance within the body.
Fluoride - it helps to improve teeth and bone health similar to calcium.
Cadmium - is vital for metabolic functions.
Palladium - this helps to improve the electrical potentiality of a cell. This means it allows the cell to open/close which allows nutrients to enter and waste to exit.
Aluminum - helps with enzyme functions.
Vanadium - this is what helps the body break down food into energy.
Nickel - this helps with cell health. It helps to increase the release of intracellular enzyme lactic dehydrogenase.
Arsenic - this actually helps the nervous system to function better and we all naturally have it occurring in our bodies.
Silicon - this works along with calcium to improve bone health. It can also benefit skin, hair, nails (or in this case hooves) and helps form tendons and ligaments.
Copper - produces hemoglobin, collagen, iron all of which are required for oxygen synthesis, it is also a good source of antioxidants.
Cobalt - is a component of Vitamin B12 and is essential in red blood cell production.
Indium - this is helpful in the absorption processes.
Rubidium - our bodies require the Rb+ ions to aid in electroylic fluid balance.
Gallium - this inhibits the body's production of inflammatory substances called Interleukin-6.
Lanthanum - aids in digestion processes
Sulfur - makes protein and collagen, these aid in better skin, nails (or in this case hooves) and helps hair health too.
Iron - is the key factor in hemoglobin production.
Manganese - this aids and improves in the overall function of the nervous system.
Selenium - is an antioxidant, it helps to protect the cell membranes from radical damage and helps to secure the body from heart disease. It also aids in liver functions in addition to other benefits.
Molybdenum - this helps to metabolize carbohydrates as well as detoxifying any toxic sulfates in the body. In horses it is part of a component that helps to metabolize purines which help to create DNA and RNA in the body.
Lithium - is essentially a mood enhancer.
Chloride - is a critical component in HCl acid, which aids in digestion and maintains the acid balance in the body. In horses, it does that in addition to maintaining nerve impulses and helps to regulate fluid going into and out of cells.
Zinc - is an essential mineral that helps with over 200 enzyme reactions in the body to aid in growth and development. In horses specifically, it aids in the immune system, tissue repair, growth, fertility and fetal development.
Magnesium - aids in the absorption of calcium, it can protect cells from inflammation and radical damages, as well as aiding in providing relief from stress, tension or muscle tightness. It is also good for the heart. In horses, however, it helps the nerves to transmit signals not only to each other but to the muscles as well. Some say it has a calming effect on horses which may help with some behavioral issues as every horse is different.
Boron - this also helps to regulate the absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It can help reduce inflammation, increases mental awareness as well as help to regulate estrogen in horses. It helps to increase muscle mass and maintain body weight.
Beryllium - aids in feeding the body's cells.
Germanium - attaches to oxygen molecules which regulates the transfer of oxygen to tissues, which results in the body getting a better oxygen supply. This also helps with the immune system and to excrete any harmful toxins.
I am not going to continue to bore you with a bunch of science but a few others to include are scandium, titanium, silver, bromine, radium, thorium, platinum, lead and tungsten. These are trace organic minerals that work on a cellular level. The percentage at which they work within the body is far less than to the ones listed above which are in a more principle position. That being said these do help maintain homeostasis, body fluids and your electrolyte balance - think when you sweat to much. They aid in heart health and helps to balance the Ph of cells as well.