Enteroliths develop when mineral deposits form in concentric layers around a central nidus, such as a piece of wire, small stone, twine or other foreign body in the large colon, writes Alicia Long, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVECC. She shares what is known and what is not known about these strange rocks that form and could weigh up to nine pounds*. Each article here discusses discovery, treatment, prevention and susceptibility differences between horse breeds.
Source: The Horse, May 24, 2025. Link.
Also see: *Like a rock, Barrel Horse News, May 23, 2025. Link.
An enterolith is a concretion made up of layers of magnesium-ammonium-phosphate caused by an irritant in the horse’s body, and located in the horse’s large or small colon . . . literally a stone . . . if you open one up, they’re layered like a pearl.” – Leslie Schur, DVM
INSIGHTS: If you have encountered enteroliths, you likely remember your first one. They are excellent to save to show young horse people and reinforce the importance of walking pastures to pick up and remove foreign materials.
Image: Link.