6 Best Secure Salt Block Holders For Curious Animals That Prevent Waste
Keep salt blocks secure from curious animals and off the ground. We review the 6 best holders that prevent waste and protect your mineral investment.
There’s nothing more frustrating than finding a new salt block—the one you just put out yesterday—stomped into a muddy mess. It’s a common sight on any farm, representing wasted money and a missed opportunity for your animals’ health. A secure holder isn’t just a convenience; it’s a fundamental tool for smart resource management.
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Why a Secure Salt Holder Saves You Money
A salt block left on the ground is a dissolving investment. Rain turns it into a salty puddle, and mud and manure quickly contaminate it, making it unpalatable and unsanitary for your livestock. You’re not just losing the salt; you’re creating a potential health hazard.
Curious animals are another major factor. A goat will see a loose block as a toy, butting it until it shatters. A horse might paw at it, and before you know it, your solid 50-pound block is a dozen small, useless chunks trampled into the dirt. A holder prevents this "playful" destruction.
The math is simple. A holder that costs $15 or $20 can easily double or triple the life of a $10 salt block. That small, one-time investment pays for itself within a few months and continues to save you money and trips to the feed store for years. It’s one of the easiest financial wins on a small farm.
Behlen Country Galvanized Holder: The Classic
This is the one you see everywhere for a reason. It’s a simple, tough, galvanized steel box that bolts directly to a wooden post or stall wall. Its primary job is to stop animals from pushing, knocking, or rolling the block away.
The Behlen holder is incredibly durable and affordable. It will stand up to abuse from cattle, horses, and the elements without rusting through for a long, long time. It’s a no-nonsense solution for keeping a standard 50-pound block contained.
Its biggest weakness is its complete lack of weather protection. The open-top design allows rain to collect, which will dissolve your block from the bottom up. A simple, five-minute fix is to drill a few 1/4-inch drainage holes in the bottom before you mount it. This lets rainwater escape and dramatically extends the block’s life.
Little Giant Holder: Versatile Corner Mount
If you need a salt block in a stall or a tight corner of a shelter, the Little Giant holder is an excellent choice. Made from heavy-duty, molded polyethylene, it’s designed to fit snugly into a 90-degree corner. This placement keeps it out of the main traffic path, reducing the chance of animals bumping into it.
The corner-mount design makes it exceptionally stable. When properly secured, it’s nearly impossible for an animal to dislodge. The tough plastic material won’t rust, has no sharp edges, and is very easy to wipe clean.
The main tradeoff is its lack of flexibility. It is specifically for corners, so it won’t work on a flat wall or a round fence post in the pasture. While the polymer is incredibly tough, a chronically bored animal (like a stall-bound horse) could potentially chew on it over time, whereas they’d give up on a metal holder.
Brower Mineral Feeder: Top Weather Protection
When you need to protect your investment from the elements, nothing beats a hooded feeder. The Brower mineral feeder features a heavy rubber hood that animals learn to lift with their nose to access the contents. It’s designed for loose minerals but works perfectly for salt blocks, too.
This design offers near-total protection from rain, sleet, and snow. The block stays dry and clean, eliminating all weather-related waste. If you’re using expensive, nutrient-fortified blocks or live in a very wet climate, this feeder can pay for itself quickly by preventing loss.
The downside is cost and a slight learning curve. These feeders are significantly more expensive than simple open holders. Most animals figure out how to lift the flap within a day or two, but a particularly timid one might need some encouragement. It’s a premium solution for a persistent problem.
Fortiflex Rubber Pan: A Ground-Level Choice
Sometimes the best solution isn’t a wall-mounted holder at all. A heavy, low-profile rubber pan, like those made by Fortiflex, can be an effective and simple ground-level option. It’s not a "holder" in the traditional sense, but it serves a similar purpose by keeping the block out of the direct mud and muck.
This approach is ideal for sheep and goats, which often prefer to lick minerals at ground level. The sheer weight and flexible nature of a good rubber pan make it difficult for most animals to flip over or push around. It contains the block while accommodating their natural behavior.
Of course, this method offers zero protection from rain. A heavy downpour will fill the pan and dissolve the salt. It’s a choice best suited for use inside a shelter or in drier climates where keeping the block off the dirt is the primary goal.
High Country Holder for Natural Salt Rocks
Pressed salt blocks are uniformly square, but natural salt rocks—like Himalayan salt—are irregular and lumpy. A standard box holder simply won’t work for them. The High Country holder is specifically molded to cradle these unevenly shaped rocks securely.
Using a dedicated holder for natural salt is critical. Without one, these expensive rocks are easily knocked from a ledge or fence post, where they can shatter on impact. This holder protects your investment and ensures the rock wears down from licking, not from being broken into pieces.
This is a specialized piece of equipment. If you only use standard 50-pound pressed blocks, you have no need for it. But if you provide natural rock salt, a proper holder is non-negotiable to prevent waste.
Horsemen’s Pride Salt Rox Holder for Stalls
This holder is less about preventing pasture waste and more about providing enrichment in a stall environment. Designed to hold a specially shaped salt rock, this toy-like holder often allows the salt to spin or move as the horse licks it.
The main purpose is to combat boredom. For a horse that spends significant time in a stall, this interactive feeder provides mental stimulation along with necessary sodium. It turns a simple mineral source into an engaging activity.
This is a highly specific tool for a single use case: a stalled horse. It is not designed for group housing or pasture use, and the specialized salt refills can be more expensive than a standard block. Think of it as a combination of a supplement and a toy.
Placement Tips to Maximize Lick Usage
Where you put the holder is just as important as which one you choose. A great spot is near, but not right next to, your animals’ water source. Livestock often crave salt after drinking, so placing it along that path encourages use. Keep it far enough away to prevent salt from contaminating the water trough.
Mount the holder at a comfortable height for the intended animal. For horses or cattle, this is typically chest-high. For goats or sheep, it should be much lower. If you have a mixed-species pasture, you may need two holders at different heights to ensure everyone can reach it comfortably without straining.
Remember herd dynamics. A dominant animal will often guard a single resource, preventing others from getting their share. If you notice one animal hogging the salt block, install a second holder in a different location. This simple step ensures the entire herd has access to the minerals they need.
Ultimately, choosing the right salt block holder is a small decision that reflects a larger principle of good farm management: protect your resources, care for your animals’ health, and eliminate needless waste wherever you can.
