Some Salt Finally

6/16/2012

Click for a close up - this dude needs a napkin!

Some time ago I posted a video of Speedy eating his beet pulp while pausing for regular licks of salt. When we moved to Barn Heaven, that routine stopped. I placed the salt lick as close to his beet pulp as I could, and I hung his bucket as usual. Nothing. I added another salt lick, but for nearly nine months I've seen no salt lick activity. And yes, it's warmer now, but it didn't matter before. It could have been raining cats and dogs in the middle of winter and Speedy still added the salt to his lunch.

Many months ago I hung a Himalayan salt lick above his bucket hoping it would entice him to return to the daily salt licking. About a week or so ago, I finally saw him repeat the salt licking during his lunch. On Friday, I happened to have my camera in my hand and caught several photos of him thoroughly enjoying his salty treat.

Whew!

Lori Bertolucci

6/16/2012 07:04:50 am

Karen, I add Salt Balance, by Morton, to Remey's feed. I was told to do this by Dr. Sanders, the vet out in Lancaster. He adds it during the summer to all of his race horse's feed. It has potassium in it. She eats her BP and grain, without a hitch, when it is added.

Karen

6/16/2012 05:15:28 pm

Hi Lori! When I am really worried about Speedy's salt intake, or lack of, I add some electrolytes to his beet pulp. I'll do this during summer lessons or when we're heading to a show. The salt balance sounds interesting!

nowthatsatrot link

6/16/2012 11:08:21 am

I have to say, Willie almost never touches the plain salt blocks. I don't worry, because he's a good drinker and I toss him a pinch of Apple-A-Day even when he's not working, figuring he'd take more of the giant block in the pasture if he needed it. I know some people who swear their horses only like the Himalayan salt, but there was no way I was going to pay 3x as much for some hokey pink rocks!

Then I helped someone move barns and they were going to chuck all of their fancy salt blocks, even the unused ones. Being the scavenger I am, I grabbed a few and hung them in the run-in shed, thinking it might give the boys something to play with when they were on pasture lockdown. Wouldn't you know, Willie loves the stupid things! Guess we have more hokey pink rocks in our future. ;)

BTW, this is the first time I have gotten around to opening your blog instead of just using Google Reader -- love the new layout!

Karen

6/16/2012 05:19:50 pm

NTAT! - Thanks.

I don't really worry about the salt licks as I know my ponies will use them if they want to, but I was a tad worried that Speedy changed his habit so suddenly with the move last August. I have blocks available for both horses, both white and red, but if they don't want them ... they don't want them.

I just thought it was odd that Speedy would all of a sudden remember that he likes some salt with his lunch. I really should buy another one for Sydney since he ignores his salt licks as well. But as you say, who wants to spend a million bucks on gourmet salt licks? :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage