Horse glossary
Salt Block
A hard block a horse can lick for salt.
In Spanish: Bloque de sal
What it means
A salt block is a hard block of salt, sometimes with added minerals, that a horse can lick whenever it wants. It is usually placed in a holder in the stall or paddock. Some owners give loose salt in a small dish or add a measured amount to the feed instead.
Why it matters
Salt supplies sodium and chloride, which horses lose in sweat. Enough salt encourages a horse to drink, which supports hydration and digestion, especially in hot weather or during hard work.
Example
Tell an adult if the salt block is gone.
Try this
Keep the salt block clean and dry, and place it near, but not over, the water bucket. Notice how fast it wears down and tell an adult when it is getting small or goes missing.
Common mistake
A block in the stall doesn't guarantee a horse gets enough salt. Horse tongues are smoother than cattle tongues, so some horses lick too little, and owners may offer loose salt as well.