Horse Lick Tubs: Weatherproof Vitamin Supplements

Lick Tubs for Horses: Weatherproof Mineral Supply in the Open Air

The demand-oriented supply of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements is the foundation for a healthy horse life. While classic salt blocks perform excellently in the stable, they quickly reach their limits outdoors in rain and high humidity. A lick tub for horses – often referred to as a mineral bucket or lick block in a tub – is the ideal solution for the pasture, paddock, or open stable. The tasty mass is firmly anchored in a robust plastic bowl, making it extremely weather-resistant and preventing it from being washed out by rain.

Vitamins, Trace Elements, and Valuable Molasses

Compared to pure salt blocks, lick tubs offer a significantly broader spectrum of nutrients. They contain a balanced mix of vital minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, as well as essential trace elements (zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine). To increase acceptance among the animals, a moderate proportion of energy-rich molasses is usually added to the mass. The sweet taste stimulates the licking instinct, so that even picky horses or young animals in the pasture instinctively absorb their daily dose of vital substances.

Easy Handling and Herd Husbandry

In group or open stable systems, horse lick tubs impress with their uncomplicated handling. The heavy tubs or handy bowls can simply be placed on the paddock floor without complex mounting, placed in an old tire, or set up in protected areas. Since the mass is pressed or poured extremely hard, the horses can only lick the content slowly and cannot bite it off. This ensures a controlled nutrient intake over several weeks and makes the tubs particularly economical.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a horse lick tub last on average?
This depends on the group size and the individual needs of the animals. Due to the extreme hardness of the mass, biting off is impossible. A standard 10 kg tub usually occupies a single horse for several months. In a herd of three to four horses, it usually lasts for several weeks.

Can the contained molasses harm the horse's teeth?
Since horses only consume the mass in very small quantities and licking massively stimulates saliva flow, the risk of dental damage in healthy horses is minimal. Saliva naturally buffers the acids in the mouth. For horses with known dental problems or metabolic diseases (such as EMS or Cushing's), sugar-reduced special tubs should be used.

Does the lick tub dissolve in heavy rain?
No, high-quality lick masses are specially designed for harsh outdoor use. Rainwater does collect on the surface of the tub, but it does not soften the underlying mass. It is recommended to empty accumulated water occasionally so that the horses can directly reach the solid layer and the block remains clean.