Salt?

[Crimson Rose]

I am curious as to how everyone provides salt for their miniatures/ponies? What way do you think works best? Easiest? Most cost efficient? I am currently using a seven pound block of Himalayan salt in a feed pan. My ponies like it, but I don't think that it will last very long for the price.

 

[Minimor]

I buy the big blocks of salt, usually the blue ones because white isn't always available. I tried loose salt in the past but it didn't work. They didn't use it, so it got dusty, then no one was going to use it. Tried it in a pan on the floor....and then they peed in it. The block works much better!

 

[1roadtoad]

Hi, I use a 4 lb. Red Trace Mineralized Salt Brick ($4 each). I don't know how many minis you have, but I have 4 (2 donks, 2 horses) and they each have a salt lick in their stalls and then there is one in their outside stall. Each of the blocks have lasted over a year now, but I did notice that I will have to replace one of them soon.

 

[candycar]

I have loose white salt (cheap at about $5per 50 lb bag) Also one of those "deer "salt rocks, or Himalayan rocks. They love all three kinds. Also you should provide loose minerals. They love and need those too.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I provide a standard white salt block and also top dress with pink salt.

 

[Crimson Rose]

Thank you for all your comments! I will definitely have to try some of these!

 

[Kelly]

I have salt bricks out for mine in their paddock. They all also get the apple elite electrolytes in their feed, 1/2 tsp each daily, so 1/4 tsp twice a day. If their poop seems dry then I might give an additional 1/8 - 1/4 tsp or so depending on the situation for a few days.

 

[rgsiiiya]

We have 3 different salt sources. More just for stimulatation variety.

(all of these are shared with the goats)
Standard cattle trace minerals block
2 buckets with granular trace minerals salt (they like this in the summer after exercising)
2 hanging natural salt rocks (these seem to be everyone's most favorite)

each one is different size and texture. they go through all of them, so I think they like the variety

 

[betwys1]

Hi, I use a 4 lb. Red Trace Mineralized Salt Brick ($4 each). I don't know how many minis you have, but I have 4 (2 donks, 2 horses) and they each have a salt lick in their stalls and then there is one in their outside stall. Each of the blocks have lasted over a year now, but I did notice that I will have to replace one of them soon.

I expect you meant a 40 pound block?

 

[Capriole]

They probably did mean 4 lb.

I just paid $15.00 for a 7 lb. salt/mineral block
(It wasn't that long ago I could get them for $5 - $7).

 

[betwys1]

They probably did mean 4 lb.

I just paid $15.00 for a 7 lb. salt/mineral block
(It wasn't that long ago I could get them for $5 - $7).

Why would a person buy sixth the amount, for twice the price? Convenience, possibly?

 

[Abby P]

I put loose salt into his feed bucket. For whatever reason none of my horses have ever really gone for the blocks - tried big ones and small ones, wall mounted and in a ground pan, indoors and out - nope.

 

[1roadtoad]

Yes, I did mean 4 lbs. I only have 4 minis. I watch them use the salt daily and like I said, only one horse has almost completed the block in his stall. I put the salt blocks in their stalls when I got the boys (horses) last October and they still have some left. My girls (donks) also don't seem to eat a lot of salt.

 

[Capriole]

I know! It's ridiculous....but, that's the going rate around here apparently. I couldn't believe it myself....and I got the last one on the shelf!

After I bought it (I'm not gonna lie...it hurt to pay that much for SALT)! I thought I should have bought it from Amazon...it would have to be cheaper, right? The cheapest I found on Amazon was $7.29 for 2.2 lbs!

 

[HersheyMint]

I used the Himalayan salt bricks 4 to 7 pounds, the rope hanging blocks and mineral bricks. Mine like them all. I like the hanging blocks best. Maybe cuz I enjoy watching them

 

[Cayuse]

I use table salt, appoximately 1/4 tsp mixed into their mash at night for the minis and a scant 1/2 for the welsh. At this point I've been giving it so long I don't measure it, I just dump it into my hand and then into the feed. That way I know they are getting it. If it's hot or the weather is about to radically change or manure looks dry I give a wee bit more. For some reason I have never had a horse that would use a salt block.

 

[betwys1]

I know! It's ridiculous....but, that's the going rate around here apparently. I couldn't believe it myself....and I got the last one on the shelf!

After I bought it (I'm not gonna lie...it hurt to pay that much for SALT)! I thought I should have bought it from Amazon...it would have to be cheaper, right? The cheapest I found on Amazon was $7.29 for 2.2 lbs!

Online is not the way to buy big blocks - stores with farm supplies, like Atwoods, Tractor Supply will sell 40 or 50 lb mineralized blocks under $10 - BUT they are HEAVY! though they last many months put down outside.

 

[Crimson Rose]

I use table salt, appoximately 1/4 tsp mixed into their mash at night for the minis and a scant 1/2 for the welsh. At this point I've been giving it so long I don't measure it, I just dump it into my hand and then into the feed. That way I know they are getting it. If it's hot or the weather is about to radically change or manure looks dry I give a wee bit more. For some reason I have never had a horse that would use a salt block.

I am probably going to have to use this approach the most as my ponies are outside 24/7 and we get so much rain.

 

[betwys1]

I am probably going to have to use this approach the most as my ponies are outside 24/7 and we get so much rain.

Mineralized salt blocks are normally left out in the weather (but not in water) because they are rain resistant.

 

[Crimson Rose]

Mineralized salt blocks are normally left out in the weather (but not in water) because they are rain resistant.

I might have to buy one of those as well! I thought that I remembered salt/mineral blocks lasting longer when I had horses and ponies before. LOL!