Himalayan Salt Block Analysis Key takeaways
- Our lab’s ICP-OES test found Himalayan salt contains about 12 ppm iron versus under 0.3 ppm in a plain white block.
- Sodium-chloride levels were nearly identical—so either block meets a horse’s basic salt need.
- Only iron and manganese topped 10 ppm; other trace minerals stayed tiny.
- Extra trace minerals are a modest bonus, not a full replacement for a balanced electrolyte.
- Check any dyed or coated block’s additives against the California Prop 65 safety list if you’re in a regulated state.
1 Why we sent two blocks to the lab
Feed-room debates can drag on forever—pink or white, which is “healthier”? To settle it, we bought a plain livestock salt block and a Himalayan Horse Rock Salt Lick (pictured below), ground samples, and shipped them to an accredited feed lab. The equipment: ICP-OES, sensitive down to parts-per-billion. Results are published here under CC-BY—reuse freely with credit.
2 Mineral content — full ICP-OES table (ppm)
| Element | Himalayan block | Plain white block |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 367 000 | 385 000 |
| Chloride | 558 000 | 577 000 |
| Iron | 12.3 | 0.26 |
| Manganese | 10.1 | 0.05 |
| Zinc | 2.8 | 0.18 |
| Copper | 1.5 | 0.02 |
| Calcium | 54 | 6 |
| Magnesium | 38 | 4 |
| Selenium | 0.08 | < 0.02 |
| Lead | 0.06 | 0.04 |
(Data: Equine Essential Hub Lab, July 2025 — share with attribution.)
3 Himalayan Salt Block Analysis – What the numbers really mean for your horse
- Sodium and chloride—95 %+ in both blocks. Either one supplies daily salt if your horse licks enough.
- Iron and manganese—present in Himalayan, but at hobby levels. A 50 g daily lick delivers roughly 0.5 mg manganese; NRC calls for 400 mg.
- Heavy-metal safety—lead stayed far below the 1 ppm limit; still wise to double-check unfamiliar brands against Prop 65.
4 Cost vs mineral gain — quick snapshot
| Block | Approx. price per kg | Extra trace minerals per kg | Value per dollar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Himalayan | $1.80 | 22 ppm Fe + Mn | 12 ppm per $ |
| Plain white | $0.87 | 0.3 ppm Fe + Mn | 0.3 ppm per $ |
Unless you need the slight iron boost or love the aesthetic, the plain block remains the budget champ.
5 Himalayan Salt Block Analysis- When the pink block makes sense
| Scenario | Choose Himalayan | Stick with plain |
|---|---|---|
| You want a “premium” look for a show barn | ✔️ | — |
| Mare already eating high-iron hay | — | ✔️ |
| Tourist ranch gift shop | ✔️ | — |
| Balancing a custom mineral mix | — | ✔️ cheaper NaCl |
6 One last safety note
Some decorative pink blocks come wax-coated or dyed. If an ingredient list mentions solvents you don’t recognise, give it a minute on the Prop 65 safety list before hanging it in the stall.
FAQ About Himalayan Salt Block Analysis
Does the extra iron darken coats?
Not at 12 ppm—coat colour needs genetics, not trace iron.
Do horses lick the pink block more?
Novelty only. Our geldings evened out after three days.
Will Himalayan salt freeze-crack less?
Both types shatter below –15 °C; hang the block in a holder above frozen mud.
Can I crush Himalayan salt into feed?
Yes, just weigh it—two tablespoons equals roughly 34 g NaCl.