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Discussion on Predisposition to the formation of enteroliths
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 8, 2004 - 11:10 am:
We have talked at length about the relation between alfalfa and enterolith formation. A recent survey of horses with enteroliths and measurement of colonic characteristics of these horses at surgery has given us more to think about. Here is a summary of this paper:
Journal Vet Intern Medicine 2004 May-Jun;18(3):346-9.
Dietary risk factors and colonic pH and mineral concentrations in horses with enterolithiasis.
Hassel DM, Rakestraw PC, Gardner IA, Spier SJ, Snyder JR.
Comparative Gastroenterology Laboratory, Department of Surgical and Radiological Scieinces, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
A prospective, unmatched case control study was performed to identify dietary and environmental risk factors for enterolithiasis in horses in California and to determine whether colonic ingesta analyses differed between horses with and without enteroliths. Forty-three horses with enterolithiasis were compared with 19 horses with surgical colic attributable to nonstrangulating obstruction of the colon without enteroliths. Colonic ingesta samples were collected at surgery from horses with enteroliths and control horses. Colonic pH and colonic concentrations of magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, sodium, calcium, potassium, and nitrogen were measured. Questionnaires were distributed to owners to determine diet and management practices. Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney tests were used to evaluate differences in pH, dry matter content, percent nitrogen, and mineral content. Associations between dietary and management risk factors and enterolith occurrence were quantified by odds ratios. Mean pH of colonic contents from horses with enterolithiasis was significantly higher than for control horses. Horses with enterolithiasis had significantly lower percent dry matter in colonic fecal samples and higher mean mineral concentrations than controls. On the basis of reported feeding and management practices, horses with enterolithiasis were fed a significantly higher proportion of alfalfa in their diet and were less likely to have daily access to pasture grass than horses without enteroliths.
Now if we only had some research to give us proven ways to promote acidification and dilution but the article on Enteroliths gives some ideas, select Enteroliths in Horses off the navigation bar above.
DrO
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Member:
Longhorn
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Posted on Friday, Sep 10, 2004 - 12:31 am:
Thanks for the article, Doc.
I weaned my horses off alfalfa forage and put them on Bermuda hay based on several factors including anecdotal tales from horse owners about colic and laminitis to reputable sources like yours citing other risks. Then I would hear or read about "new research" that shows evidence relating to risks associated with feeding alfalfa to horses as inconclusive. In the face of all the conflicting reports, I just decided to go conservative and stick with the Bermuda grass. I do feed them 2 to 3 pounds of well-soaked alfalfa pellets a day just for the extra calcium and fiber (the extra gallon of water doesn't hurt either).
I purchased a horse from a very reputable horse breeder who liked things the "natural way." He pasture fed his horses in the rainy season and when the pasture dried up, he proudly announced that he only fed alfalfa. I looked at him askance at this point and he had to add, "'Course, I guess horses don't naturally eat alfalfa in the wild, do they?" Heh, heh, heh. 
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Sep 10, 2004 - 8:57 am:
Thank you for this opportunity to be sure everyone understands Horseadvice's position on this. We firmly believe that alfalfa and/or clover has an important part in the good nutrition for all but the easiest keepers. We provide guidelines for the use of alfalfa in our articles on Overview of Nutrition and Forages.
DrO
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Member:
Deggert
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Posted on Friday, Sep 10, 2004 - 12:25 pm:
Hi
It seems all forages can have some drawbacks but I agree alalfa in some quantities is an excellent feed. The grass hay I feed is orchard due to all the bad press on bermuda and small colon impactions. When my gelding had the enterolith surgery last year the surgical facility San Luis Rey Equine Clinic owned by Barry Grant(famous for the neck surgery he did on Seattle Slew) and assoc. won't have bermuda on the property due to the high number of impaction surgeries they perform from bermuda hay. I fed it for years previously but with my luck decided to remove all my horses from it. My older mare (26)used to have minor colic episodes and has not since I quite feeding her bermuda.
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New Member:
gilissen
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Posted on Monday, Apr 9, 2007 - 5:11 am:
Dear Dr. Oglesby,
We have recently lost three horses/ponies to what most likely are Enteroliths (we found stones post mortem). The ponies/horses were all around 6-8 years old. The horses are NOT fed alfalfa and are on a diet of a mixture of wheat bran, maize bran, salt, vitamins, sunflower cake, soya and if available molasses which we mix ourselves and they are left out for grazing a few hours per day. Hay is given daily. Water comes from a bore hole (we are talking about Afrika here)and does contain a high rate of calcium.
We are quite devastated by the fact that in a short period three have died of the same cause and we are afraid that some others will have the same problem. No possibilities for (radio)diagnosis, nor operations. Is there any way that these stones can be prevented from growing or "diluted" ? Any advise is welcome
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Apr 9, 2007 - 9:29 am:
Hello JBMS,
Would it be possible to allow the horses to graze pasture more? With the grass being mostly water this would decrease their dependence on the high calcium water. Also the stones are generally salts of calcium and the high phosphorous of the bran probably contributes to the formation of stones. Is it possible to find other types of concentrates, lower in phosphorous, to feed?
DrO
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Member:
sonoita
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Posted on Monday, Apr 9, 2007 - 10:46 am:
Just out of curosity where are you at J.B.M. I never heard of this feed schedule would love to understand this.
Happy Trails
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New Member:
gilissen
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Posted on Sunday, Apr 15, 2007 - 9:28 am:
Hi Wanda,
Lusaka, Zambia
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