Salt to ruminants and horses

摘要: Salt (NaCl) is an essential element in many plants and the diets of humans animals. even a preservative, protecting against spoilage coincidentally maintaining life. In most places around world, pasture grain are deficient both sodium (Na+) chloride (Cl-) animals have to be fed supplemental salt satisfy their requirement. Deficiency not usual; therefore, focus this work on alone. Sodium contributes processes body: for example, maintenance body temperature, chemical transport nerve function. Sodium, together with potassium (K+) chloride, one important ions regulates pH osmotic pressure. always easy detect but can lead decreased appetite, weight gain, fertility, milk production loss. Excess generally big problem as long free access water good quality. The requirements cattle, small ruminants horses were calculated from National Research Council (NRC) Swedish recommendations. Their expected intakes food estimated see if capable compensating deficit by unlimited saltlick. These calculations showed insufficient intake cases that saltlicks could fulfil animal needs. A cow (650 kg) producing average 31 kg energy-corrected has deficiency between 3.3 17.7 g/day, depending feeding plan. A sheep 6 weeks before lambing lacks 1.7 g Na/day according recommendations, although NRC its fulfilled. lactating goat 5.3 recommendations 1.8 NRC. For ruminants, differ lot The horse normal training almost fulfilled hard training, mineral losses sweat, 14.3 19.5 recommendations. This study points out needed more studies need investigate actual