A horse that consumes 10kgs of cool season pasture grass will get about less than one gram of salt from that grass. Remember grass has NO requirement for salt so doesn’t bother to uptake it. Grass has no interest in the health of your horse or whether you and your horse have a terrible time or not! As for the type of loose salt, my go-to is regular iodized table salt, because I find that the small amount of additional iodine is often beneficial in the ration, unless the horse is receiving kelp-based supplements. Kelp-based supplements typically provide several times the daily National Research Council requirement for iodine, and, therefore, I’m not keen in these instances to add more.

Photo above: Many nutrients are responsible for outer health. Magnesium plays an essential role in keeping horses healthy.) How much Magnesium should a horse have?Mueller also noted that researchers have determined that nasogastric administration of fluid—regardless of what type—can help encourage colonic motility. They attribute this phenomenon to stimulation of the gastrocolic reflex (one of the physiologic reflexes that controls gastrointestinal tract motility). Table salt is Sodium Chloride sometimes with the addition of Iodine. If you are feeding a high spec Vitamin & Mineral supplement, your horses iodine requirements will be being met. If your supplement does not contain iodine your horse will not be getting enough iodine from iodized salt. Magnesium sulfate is commonly used as a laxative and a wound soak for horses. It is reported to be very useful in significant and lasting reduction of pain in the horse’s limbs. Magnesium sulfate paste is sometimes used as an agent in drawing boils and carbuncles. Used in soaking wounds, it helps clean and soothe the tissues and skin. Deficiencies are most likely in spring, during periods of strong grass growth, and even in winter on pastures in milder areas where grass is being pushed along with fertiliser.

Epsom salt is available in two grades: USP (United States Pharmacopeia) and technical. Epsom salt with the USP designation is safe for human and animal use. This grade is manufactured, tested, and certified to meet the stringent regulatory standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Pharmacopeia. Technical grade is not as pure, so it is used for agricultural and industrial purposes. Magnesium is found to be a calming agent because of its role in both nerve excitability and muscle contraction, and the suspicion that nervousness may be caused by suboptimal levels of magnesium in the diet. As grasses become higher in potassium and nitrogen they do not correspondingly become higher in sodium. Mix until salts are dissolved. Soak affected body part by immersing in a container (such as for a hoof), or by applying a wet dressing.Mother_hen - I have replied to your post but will also add here that you are going very over the top in your warning.