
30/06/2025
Very interesting!
Himalayan salt licks are popular due to their natural mineral content and weather-resistant properties, providing essential minerals like iron, potassium, and magnesium in their natural form.
Unlike softer, pressed licks, they’re tough enough to prevent horses from biting off chunks and can be safely left outside for self-dosing.
But what do horses think about them?
Researchers at Cornell University decided to find out...
In the study, researchers surveyed 342 horse owners about the types of salt blocks they provided.
They also conducted a salt lick “taste test” with a group of healthy adult horses, using cameras to record which salt block each horse preferred, defined as licking a block for at least one minute.
The team found that when given a choice, horses consistently show a clear preference for plain salt over Himalayan salt licks but showed no notable preference between other combinations, such as plain versus mineralised or mineralised versus selenium.
Therefore if your horse isn’t interested in your himalayan salt block, offering an alternative might be the trick.
Many horses prefer also loose salt, as it’s easier for them to consume the amount they need.
Try placing loose salt in a mineral feeder near your horse’s water source can encourage regular intake and help ensure their sodium requirements are met—supporting hydration and overall health.
Study details: Sill S, Zhao L, Houpt K. Salt preferences of horses for types of NaCl offered. Res Vet Sci. 2024 May;171:105224. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105224. Epub 2024 Mar 11. PMID: 38522126.