5 Best Hanging Salt Lick Feeders For Horses That Last for Years

There’s nothing more frustrating than walking out to the barn to find a salt block lying in the shavings, covered in muck. The cheap plastic holder you bought last season has finally shattered, leaving sharp edges and a wasted block. A good salt lick feeder isn’t just a convenience; it’s a piece of equipment that should withstand years of being nudged, licked, and bumped by a 1,000-pound animal.

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Why a Durable Salt Lick Feeder Matters for Horses

A flimsy salt lick holder is a safety hazard waiting to happen. When they break, they can leave behind sharp plastic shards or twisted metal that can easily cut a curious horse’s nose or tongue. A broken rope or chain can also become an entanglement risk, which is a serious danger in a stall or pasture.

Beyond safety, durability is about smart resource management. Constantly replacing a five-dollar feeder adds up over the years, not to mention the cost of wasted salt blocks that get dropped and ruined. Investing in a feeder that lasts saves you money and, just as importantly, time. You have enough on your to-do list without adding "replace broken salt holder" every few months.

A well-made feeder also stands up to horse behavior. Some horses are gentle, but others see a salt lick holder as a toy to be pushed, pulled, and abused. A tough feeder resists this behavior, while a weak one can inadvertently teach a horse that breaking things is a fun pastime. It keeps the salt clean, off the ground, and available when your horse needs it.

Horsemen’s Pride Stall Snack Holder: Simple & Tough

This feeder is the definition of simple, functional, and tough. It’s a single piece of heavy-duty molded polyethylene plastic, designed to hold a standard rectangular salt or mineral block. There are no moving parts to break, no pins to lose, and no complicated installation.

Its greatest strength is its ruggedness. The thick plastic construction resists cracking, even in freezing winter temperatures, and the rounded edges discourage chewing. You mount it directly to a stall wall with a few lag bolts, and it’s there for the long haul. Cleaning is as easy as hosing it out.

The only real tradeoff is its lack of enrichment. This is a purely utilitarian holder; it’s not a toy. For a horse that needs a distraction, this won’t provide it. However, for reliably serving up a salt block without any fuss, it’s one of the most dependable options on the market.

Shires Lick Holder: A Playful, Long-Lasting Toy

If you’re looking to combat stall boredom while providing a salt lick, the Shires Lick Holder is a fantastic two-in-one solution. Designed to hold round, flavored licks like those from Likit, this feeder turns licking into a game. The horse has to nudge and play with the ball to get to the treat inside.

Durability is built into its design. It’s made from a tough, almost rubbery polymer that can withstand being swung against walls, bitten, and kicked. It hangs from a sturdy rope, encouraging movement that makes the horse work for its treat. This isn’t a feeder that will shatter on impact.

The primary consideration here is the type of lick it uses. These feeders are designed for high-sugar, flavored licks, which can be consumed quickly and become expensive. It’s more of a treat dispenser than a free-choice salt source. You also need a secure place to hang it, away from walls, so the horse can interact with it safely without getting it pinned.

Little Giant Salt Block Holder: Classic & Reliable

The Little Giant brand is a staple in barns for a reason, and their hanging salt block holders are no exception. Often designed as a coated metal wire basket, this feeder is built for pure function and longevity. It hangs easily over a standard fence board or stall wall, requiring no tools for installation.

The heavy-gauge steel wire is its key feature. It’s incredibly resistant to chewing, bending, or breaking. Even the most orally fixated horse will have a hard time doing any real damage to it. The open-basket design makes it easy to drop a new block in and allows for great drainage if used outdoors.

The main tradeoff is potential rusting. While they come with a protective coating, a determined horse might eventually chip it, exposing the metal underneath. It’s also important to measure your fence or stall boards before buying. The built-in hooks are a standard size and may not fit over unusually thick or wide lumber.

Himalayan Rock Salt on a Rope: Naturally Durable

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. A large block of Himalayan rock salt with a rope threaded through it isn’t a feeder in the traditional sense—the salt is the feeder. This option eliminates the need for any plastic or metal holder, offering a natural and straightforward way to provide salt.

The durability comes from the salt itself. These are solid, dense rocks of salt that weather slowly over time. The only component that can fail is the rope, which is inexpensive and easy to replace. Many horses leave the rope alone, but if you have a chewer, you can simply swap it out for a tougher poly rope when needed.

This method is incredibly cost-effective and provides beneficial trace minerals. The downside is a lack of protection from the elements. If hung in an area exposed to rain, the block will dissolve much more quickly. You also lose the block once it wears down enough to slip off the rope’s knot, so a little bit at the end is often wasted.

Behlen Country Block Holder: Heavy-Duty Poly Design

For a pasture or paddock setting, the Behlen Country block holder is a true workhorse. It’s a heavy-duty, UV-stabilized polyethylene feeder designed to be mounted on a fence post or wall. Its thick, rounded construction is engineered to withstand the elements and the abuse of multiple horses.

This feeder’s durability comes from its sheer bulk and smart design. The plastic is significantly thicker than many cheaper stall models, and the rounded shape leaves no edges for a horse to grab with its teeth. It’s made to live outside, resisting sun damage and cold-weather cracking for years.

The installation is its main consideration. It’s not a simple hanging feeder; it’s designed to be bolted securely to a very sturdy surface, like a thick wooden fence post. This makes it incredibly stable but less portable. It’s the perfect "set it and forget it" solution for a permanent pasture turnout.

Installation Tips for Maximum Feeder Longevity

Where and how you install your feeder is just as important as which one you buy. Position it at your horse’s chest height. This is a comfortable height for licking and discourages the horse from striking at it with a hoof or getting a leg tangled in a hanging rope.

Always use high-quality hardware. Don’t rely on the cheap screws that might come in the package. Invest in heavy-duty lag bolts for wall-mounted units and rated eye bolts or carabiners for hanging toys. Check this hardware a few times a year for signs of rust or wear, especially if it’s exposed to the elements.

Finally, think about location within the stall or pasture. Keep the salt lick away from the water source to prevent salty water and rapid dissolution of the block. For hanging toys, ensure there is enough clearance from walls and other obstacles to allow it to swing freely and safely.

Choosing the Right Salt Block for Your Feeder Type

The most durable feeder in the world is useless if the salt block doesn’t fit. This seems obvious, but it’s a frequent mistake. Rectangular holders need rectangular blocks, and round toy-feeders need specially shaped lick refills. Double-check the dimensions before you buy a case of salt.

Next, consider the type of salt.

• Plain white salt blocks provide pure sodium chloride, which is perfect if your horse’s grain and forage already provide balanced minerals.
• Red mineralized trace mineral blocks offer additional minerals like zinc, manganese, copper, and iron. These are great for horses on a forage-only diet.
• Himalayan pink salt is a dense, rock-hard salt that provides a wide array of trace minerals in their natural form. Horses tend to self-regulate well on these.

Be mindful of consumption rates. Soft, sweet, molasses-based blocks are highly palatable and will disappear quickly, especially in a toy-style feeder. Hard-pressed blocks and solid Himalayan rock salt last much longer, making them a more economical choice for providing free-choice salt. Reserve the "candy" licks for occasional treats or rewards.

Choosing a salt lick feeder is a small decision, but it’s one that impacts your horse’s health, your budget, and your daily chores. By investing in a durable, well-designed feeder and installing it correctly, you’re setting yourself up for years of safe, hassle-free use. It’s one less thing to worry about, giving you more time to simply enjoy your animals.