What To Do About Equine Enteroliths

colic due to enteroliths is surgical removal. Horses are generally kept out of work for three months postsurgery. Horses that have had surgery to remove enteroliths should not have any alfalfa in their diets. Surgery is often successful and postoperative complications are uncommon but recurrence is highly likely if recommended dietary changes are not followed.
What is the prognosis for horses with enteroliths?
The prognosis for horses with enteroliths depends on the size of the stones where they are located and when they are detected. The prognosis for horses with very small enteroliths is good they may remain asymptomatic and pass the enteroliths in their manure. For horses with larger enteroliths full recovery is very likely if resulting impactions are identified before damage to the colon occurs. The biggest concern is when the intestine ruptures before detection and removal of the enteroliths these cases are fatal. Enteroliths that are slightly larger than a fecal ball are the most concerning because they cause colic by completely obstructing the small colon which is a site predisposed to intestinal rupture. Early detection and the subsequent surgical removal of enteroliths has a high greater than 90 percent success rate.
How can enteroliths be prevented?
Enteroliths can be managed by cutting down on alfalfa so that it makes up less than 50 percent of the diet reducing or eliminating bran adding apple cider vinegar to hay or grain daily and increasing the grain ratio to decrease the pH level in the colon. Additional grazing increasing the number of feedings per day and providing frequent consistent exercise can help keep food material moving through the colon. Supplementing with psyllium softening hard water and avoiding mineralrich feeds are additional management steps that can prevent the formation of enteroliths.