Why Horses Need Salt All Year Long — Even in Winter

When people think about salt for horses, summer heat and heavy sweating usually come to mind. But salt isn’t just a warm-weather concern. Horses need salt every single day, year-round — including during the colder winter months.

At Manning’s Feed & Seed, we talk with horse owners all winter long who are surprised to learn how important salt still is when temperatures drop.

Horses Can’t Store Salt

Horses cannot store sodium or chloride (the two components of salt) in their bodies. That means salt must be consumed daily to support normal bodily functions like muscle movement, nerve signaling, and fluid balance.

Even in winter, skipping salt can quickly lead to deficiencies.

Cold Weather Doesn’t Stop Salt Loss

Even when temperatures are cooler, horses still lose salt through:

• Normal bodily functions such as urination and manure

• Light sweating under winter coats or blankets

• Dry winter air, which can increase dehydration

Because horses don’t always sweat visibly in winter, salt loss is often underestimated.

Salt Encourages Proper Hydration

Salt plays a key role in stimulating thirst. During winter, horses may naturally drink less water, especially if water is cold or partially frozen.

Consistent salt intake helps encourage proper water consumption, which supports:

• Healthy digestion

• Nutrient absorption

• Reduced risk of impaction colic

Many winter colic cases are linked to dehydration, making salt especially important this time of year.

Hay-Based Winter Diets Are Low in Salt

Most horses rely heavily on hay during winter months. While hay provides fiber and calories, it contains very little sodium. Even the best-quality hay cannot meet a horse’s salt needs on its own.

Without an added salt source, horses can fall short quickly.

Signs a Horse May Be Lacking Salt

Some signs of inadequate salt intake include:

• Reduced water consumption

• Dull coat or low energy

• Muscle stiffness

• Chewing wood, dirt, or other non-food items
  

These signs are often subtle and mistaken for normal winter behavior.

The Best Ways to Provide Salt in Winter

• Loose plain white salt offered free-choice

• Salt blocks (though intake can be inconsistent in cold weather)

• Balanced mineral supplements that include salt
  

Loose salt is often preferred in winter, as horses may not lick blocks enough to meet daily needs.

The Bottom Line

Salt is not a summer-only supplement — it’s a daily essential. Even in winter, horses rely on salt to maintain hydration, digestion, and overall health.

If you have questions about salt, minerals, or winter horse nutrition, the team at Manning’s Feed & Seed is happy to help. You can stop by our Pace location or our Milton location, and we’ll help you find the right options for your horses this winter.