My understanding is that the jury is still out on enterolith formation. But since
magnesium and ammonia are both constituents of the stones, I would stay clear of high
magnesium and high protein (ammonia is a breakdown product of protein) feed.
Duncan Fletcher
dfletche@gte.net
Susan F. Evans wrote:
> [snip]
> > In another post you indicated a magnesium figure of 0.7%. This is a very high number.
> > Alfalfa which is also high is half that. It is magnesium that is the probably culprit
> > in enterolith formation and the reason many refuse to feed alfalfa.
>
> This is true, however, NRC cites numbers based on "average" alfalfa's
> content of magnesium. Alfalfa grown in California is SEVEN times higher
> than the "average", which makes Mg even more of a problem. I was taught
> that incidents of enterolith formation is highest in California (where,
> obviously, a whole bunch of horses are fed straight alfalfa), and also
> highest among Arabians, although I don't think anyone knows for sure why
> Arabians should be particularly at risk. At least I don't. Do any of
> the vets (or anyone else) on-line have any idea why this may be?