Anyone ever hear of using Epsom salt as an electrolyte?

[Jitterbug]

I have been boarding my minis and BIG horse for several months at a very nice facility.

The barn manager believes in using a pinch of Epsom salt twice daily as an electrolyte.

It couldn't taste good ( I use Apple-A-Day and my horses LOVE it).

Has anyone ever tried Epsom salt before ??????

Justine

 

[disneyhorse]

Epsom salts definitely have a use at the barn... mostly for soaking abscesses and mild cases of thrush. When ingested, it is a LAXATIVE and not really the type of "salt" that horses need for electrolytes. Table salt sometimes is used, but a good horse electrolyte is not expensive.

Most horses don't need electrolytes on a daily basis anyway. There is already salt added to most grains and pelleted feeds.

Andrea

 

[rabbitsfizz]

No is the short answer as it is NOT an electrolyte it is a LAXATIVE!!!

I do know of some very old fashioned horse people who would use Epsom Salts in the way but I am not, nor have I ever been, one of them- too many potential dangers!!

 

[dangerranger]

It is a very effective laxitive! Its best to be on the pot before you try it. and no I wouldnt let anyone feed it to my pets.

 

[Jitterbug]

Thanks, everybody !

I will show the barn manager your posts.

Justine

 

[FairytailGlennMinis]

I have used it disolved in hot water and then syringed when lukewarm for a colicy horse that was colicy with very hard feces--alternating with oil. A wonderful vet taught me this years ago. I don't think I would use this kind of salt for electrolytes though. I prefer loose minerals be available all the time--the horses love it and it keeps them drinking. At a barn I used to work at they kept little salt blocks in each stall to keep horses drinking too.