Mineral block for horses tips? According to the Merck Vet Manual, horses most often become deficient in these 12 essential minerals and vitamins. Copper: Deficiency may cause a dull coat, poor hoof, weak ligaments and tendons. Selenium: Deficiency may cause white muscle disease and rhabdomyolysis (tying up). Vitamin A: Deficiency may cause night blindness, watery eyes, bone and muscle growth defects, a dull coat, reproductive problems, and increased susceptibility to disease and infection. Vitamin E: Deficiency may cause muscle weakness, typing up, impaired immune function, reproductive failure, and neuromuscular disorders. Vitamin D: Deficiency may cause reduced bone calcification, stiff and swollen joints, stiff gait, and irritability. Thiamine: Deficiency may cause confusion, weakness, weight loss, incoordination, and gait abnormalities.
Electrolytes are essential minerals that play a vital role in a horse’s fluid retention, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, even digestion. Electrolytes are involved in nearly every bodily function. Horses with electrolyte deficiencies will experience fatigue and decreased performance. If a deficiency leads to dehydration, horses may weaken, collapse, and in worst-case scenarios, die. How Do Horses Become Deficient in Electrolytes? Every horse sweats—some more than others. Within sweat are copious amounts of electrolytes. A horse that’s exercised heavily can lose up to 4 gallons of sweat, which contains approximately 30 teaspoons of body salts. Find even more info at bentonite clay horses ulcers.
Cooling down your horse is crucial in winter. A sweaty horse can easily become chilled in cold or damp weather once exercise is over. Cool your horse slowly by walking at least ten minutes, then dismount and hand-walk your horse for several more minutes before removing the saddle. Make sure to dry your horse thoroughly before putting her back in the paddock/stall or turning her out to feed. Winter exercise burns up more calories, and your horse is already expending a lot of energy just to stay warm. Working in cold weather can also increase your horse’s risk of dehydration, since horses are less interested in drinking during winter months.
Have You Tried Redmond Rock on a Rope? Looking for a versatile and travel-friendly mineral rock for your horse? Try Redmond Rock on a Rope! It provides all the same benefits, equine electrolytes, and 63 trace minerals as original Redmond Rock—but comes on a handy hemp rope. Our smaller-sized salt rock is great for hanging in your horse’s stall, tying to a gate, or traveling in your trailer. How to Use Rock on a Rope (ROR) Tie ROR tight against a post to make it easy for horses to lick. Hang ROR slack in a stall as a healthy alternative to candy balls and boredom busters. Tie ROR to a fence outdoors to keep it out of the dirt and mud. Tie ROR low on a gate so horses can lick and maintain their natural foraging posture.
Try giving salt. Rub loose salt over your horse’s tongue. Some suggest this encourages horses to drink soon after. Of course, you should also always offer your horse a salt lick or loose mineral salt to replace electrolytes and trigger drinking. Add flavor to water. Horses prefer tastes that are sweet or salty. Consider adding a natural equine electrolyte drink mix like Redmond Rein Water or a sweetener like apple juice to your horse’s home water several days prior to a trip. Once you’ve arrived at your new destination, use the same electrolyte or flavor to mask the taste of unfamiliar water and give your horse a taste of home. Find more information on https://redmondequine.com/.