Where to Hang a Horse Salt Lick (and How to Make It Last)
A salt lick only helps if your horse can reach it easily and it stays clean. Here is where to put it and a few simple tips to make it last longer.
Best places to hang a salt lick
- In the stall, near the water: salt makes horses thirsty, so place the lick close to (but not directly over) the water bucket or trough.
- At head height: hang it around the height of your horse's chest or lower neck, where they can lick comfortably without stretching.
- Away from the feeder: keeping it separate from hay and grain stops it from getting covered in feed and saliva.
- In the trailer: a small lick on a rope keeps horses occupied and encourages drinking on long journeys.
- In a sheltered paddock spot: outdoors, choose a covered area such as a run-in shed so rain doesn't wash the salt away.
Places to avoid
- On the ground, where it picks up dirt and manure
- Directly above water buckets, where drips can make the water salty
- Anywhere a swinging block could hit your horse's face or eyes
- Fully exposed to rain
How to hang it safely
Use the rope that comes with your salt block on rope and tie it to a solid ring or bar. Keep the rope short enough that the block can't swing much or become tangled. Check the rope regularly and replace the block when it gets small, so it doesn't slip off.
Prefer a holder?
Salt bricks such as the 4 lb Himalayan salt brick sit in a standard wall-mounted salt block holder. Holders keep the block stable and are a good choice for horses that like to play with hanging objects.
How to make your salt lick last longer
- Keep it dry and out of the rain.
- Keep it off the ground and away from feed.
- Choose dense natural rock salt, which horses lick rather than bite.
- For several horses sharing a barn, give each stall its own lick. Our 8-pack and 12-pack make this affordable.
Always provide fresh water
Whatever setup you choose, make sure clean, fresh water is always available. Want to know how much salt your horse actually needs? Read How Much Salt Does a Horse Need? or browse all our Himalayan salt licks.