Re: Redmond salt vs salt block

["Robert Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

This will give you all something to think about.

There are those of you who swear by Redmond salt there are those of you that
don't.  Here is one person who says it does not make much difference what
you use but the important thing is where it is placed!

For years we have has a "supplement station" in our pasture. this is a "Bar"
type setup between two trees with a salt block , a pan of loose salt , a pan
of Purina 12-12 and then another salt block.  This takes up  a space about
six feet long at chest height between the trees. There is a roof for weather
protection over head.

You have the picture now explain why the horses devour two salt blocks on
the left end compared to one on the right end. Both are the same block type
same salt same minerals. If I exchange the blocks when partially consumed
the action still takes place on the left!

Tried natural Rock Salt (we can get it in 10 lb chunks) and the horses would
not touch it at all.

This time of the year the loose salt gets little use but every evening after
the grain ration the block salt gets some action.

Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Hixson Layman <jlayman@leland.Stanford.EDU>
To: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Friday, February 12, 1999 5:06 PM
Subject: Redmond salt vs salt block


>I posted this comment to Linda directly when she first asked about salts,
>but since the discussion has grown I thought I would share it with
>everyone.
>
>I have two horses and have done my own rat tests with free choice salt
>(always free choice).  I have provided salt blocks (both plain & mineral),
>and then after some time switched to Redmond Salts.  I have done this test
>both in the winter and in the heat of the summer.  My gelding much prefers
>the Redmond Salts, and my mare much prefers the salt blocks (either type).
>I do take a hammer to the salt blocks for my mare so that she can munch on
>them opposed to licking.  So I save a few pennies on my mare, but they each
>get what they prefer.  Not all horses prefer the Redmond salts... may be
>worth your own test.
>
>I also use to feed the free choice mineral supplement from ABC.  Both my
>horses really went for it when I was at a different boarding facility with
>pretty piss-poor hay.  Since I moved to a new facility with excellent hay,
>it is completely ignored and just collects bugs.  Another interesting thing
>that I noticed with the mineral supplements... we have a very old retired
>horse at our ranch that roams freely among the other paddocks.  He wont eat
>much hay, but will eat grass all day long.  When I have accidently left one
>of my paddocks open I have found old Vinny chowing away on the free choice
>mineral.  I gave him my left overs and he eats it regularly.  I know there
>has been a debate out about whether or not horses regulate what they
>need... I think our own field tests are pretty interesting.
>
>
>Jennifer Layman, Goose & Hooy
>Menlo Park, CA
>
>
>