The cause may be from the lack of dietary bulk fibre which helps keep your horse's stomach full. Potassium deficit animals may lick at wood and concrete.
Many essential minerals horses lack through diet exist in the soil. Horses know this, which is why it's not uncommon to occasionally see them licking the ground. If you observe horses gobbling mouthfuls of dirt, however, that's a clear sign of a mineral deficiency and should be addressed.
While there are horses who seem to lick as a sign of affection, this is not the primary reason a horse will lick you. Your horse could be licking you because their sodium levels are low, indicating a potential health problem. It could also be a sign of boredom or a lack of mental stimulation.
If your horse constantly licks the salt lick, it is better to remove it completely and add the required amount of salt directly to the feed.
Horses sometimes lick and chew during training and this has often been interpreted as a sign that the horse is learning or showing “submission” to the trainer. However, a new study suggests that this non-nutritive licking and chewing behaviour is a natural behaviour that is shown after a stressful situation.
They're trying to grind down their teeth.
Dirt contains hard particles, such as small rocks or sticks. These particles help file down a horse's teeth in a more natural, even pattern. Horses kept in a pasture often don't need to have their teeth floated as often as their stabled counterparts.
However, be aware that signs of salt toxicosis include colic, diarrhea, frequent urination, and general weakness. You should consult your veterinarian immediately if your horse exhibits any of these clinical signs. Horses have a defined appetite for salt and will seek to consume sufficient amounts to meet their needs.
Breathing on you, licking, and kissing are all ways a horse may be trying to tell you how much you mean to them. They also may grasp you with their lips to pull you in, and then lick. Don't be afraid if a horse lays a wet one on you, it's just because you are greatly appreciated!
Horses exhibit higher heart rates when separated from a human, but don't show any preference for their owners over complete strangers, the team discovered. Swedish researchers started their work with the theory that positive reinforcement training on a horse was more likely to lead to them forming a strong attachment.
Unless they trust you to keep them safe in dangerous situations, they'll be nervous and anxious until they return. If your horse trusts you, they will willingly leave their herd. They'll be relaxed around you, stand still as you brush them, lower their heads, and lick and chew.
Some horses bite as a means of communication. Whether they are trying to get your attention or communicate a need, this habit should be discouraged immediately.
In some cases, such as with a fearful horse, they may stare at you to try and assess whether you will hurt them or if you are a predator that will eat them. A horse that's being defensive may turn their face to you, raise their head, and stare at you to try and intimidate you.
Electrolyte deficiencies are associated with fatigue, muscle weakness, lethargy and reduced feed and water intakes, resulting in weight loss and dehydration. In addition, electrolyte deficient horses may experience reduced sweating, which can result in hyperthermia (over-heating) and compromised performance.
Signs that your horse may be magnesium deficient:
Cranky about being brushed or palpated especially over the back on either side of the spine. Cranky about being blanketed. History of tying up. Muscle tremors or all over trembling not related to outside temperature.
One of the most common nutrient deficiencies in horses, especially high-performance equines, is potassium. Like salt, potassium is lost through sweating and urination, which is why high-performance horses training or competing in humid areas are at an increased risk for deficiency. Potassium is a crucial mineral.
Occasionally you may come across a horse with a large appetite for salt, whether it's salt blocks, salt licks, or loose salt. Salt is not produced by the body, and is necessary for life and health, so your horse should be getting a salt supplement every day.
How do wild horses get their salt? In nature, salt exists in loose form, accumulating on rock surfaces and sediments near salt water sources. Wild horses often travel miles to find salt.
When & How to Feed Salt
Salt should be fed at least twice a day to ensure proper thirst response and body water equilibrium (electrolytes and hydration). The most convenient method is to include it in daily supplements (bucket feed) with enough of the carrier to achieve palatability.
Early signs of sand colic or sand irritation can include symptoms associated with diarrhoea and abdominal pain (abdomen watching, pawing at the ground or lying down). Over time, ingested sand can become considerable, tending to accumulate in the large colon.
Common Forms of Pica
Eating soil or clay, known as geophagia, often can't be easily explained as some horses seem to be more interested in eating dirt than others. Horses on low sodium diets may often display this behaviour as they seek additional sodium sources.
Animal lick salt or mineral lick is a deposit of salt combined with other naturally occurring trace minerals. Animals frequently use these salt licks to compensate for their daily dose of required salt. These salt licks can be naturally occurring or made artificially.