Salt/Mineral Blocks
This message is from: Sherle Monheim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> We have been trying to decide which is best for our Fjords. Mineral or Salt Blocks. When I called my vet, I was told that they needed none, since we are on the Equishine Pellet feeding program. I would like to hear from all of you on this subject and especially our vet members. Please. Thanks Sherle in Northern Wisconsin, where its a balmy 70 degrees and the colors are beautiful.
Re: Salt/Mineral Blocks
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] It's a very good idea to first check with your vet before using anything (especially feed related items) that is labeled for cattle. Lots of cattle products have growth promotants in them that are deadly to horses. The mineral blocks for cattle are toxic to sheep. Too much copper. I don't believe that an adult horse would consume enough of the block to make a difference, but I would watch out for a weanling or yearling. I did one time see a horse that would actually eat the blocks, not just lick them. In that case I think it would have been toxic if it was allowed to continue. Steve White Waterloo, Nebraska
Re: Salt/Mineral Blocks
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the discussion of salt blocks you said that you read that they could be bad for horses. I was recently told by my vet not to let my Fjord gelding eat the mineral salt block for a while because he is a horse that likes to eat salt and he finished a 5lb. salt block in less than two weeks. My vet was indicating that my horse could be getting too much copper and this can irratate his tendons. Some salt blocks contain selinium too and heavy metals can be dangerous if too much is consumed. I have never heard of this before, but on this particular horse, I give him only the white salt block now.
Re: Salt/Mineral Blocks
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I used to give my gelding the red mineral block until I read in either >Horse Illustrated or Horse & Rider that the mineral blocks that are for cows >can actually be bad for horses. Maybe it's the ones containing Selenium you have to be cautious about...They are usually yellowish. I don't use the Selenium blocks because my horses lick a LOT of salt and would probably get too much Selenium. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, a sunny 78 degrees today Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Salt/Mineral Blocks
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I used to give my gelding the red mineral block until I read in either Horse Illustrated or Horse & Rider that the mineral blocks that are for cows can actually be bad for horses. I don't remember why, could someone, perhaps "vet-Steve" comment? Joni in comfortable in the 70s Wisconsin ;-)
