Digestive System
Converts feed into form that can be used for maintenance, growth, and reproduction
In light horses = tract appr. 100 ft with capacity of 40 to 50 gallons
65% of capacity in cecum and colon
Includes mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines
Digestive system is a complicated factory that is designed to process small amounts of food frequently and convert them into nutrients that can be absorbed and produce energy
In the wild, horses = eat, avoid predators, and procreate
In the wild, horses select immature forages that are easy to digest
graze as they roam, consuming small amounts throughout the day and night (few digestion problems)
Humans have changed with domestication
Workloads added requiring more than grass for nutrition
There are fewer options, can no longer roam freely
Busy owners; horse can no longer eat small amounts frequently
Usually fed large amounts, few times
Can add up to assault on digestive system and result in colic
Researches have been working on balancing the horse diets
The Digestive System
The Mouth
There are 3 salivary glands, producing up to 10 gallons of saliva per day
Mixes with feed to turn moist, easy to swallow
Two important ingredients in saliva
Biacarbonate = buffers and protects against amino acid in the stomach
Salivary amylase = assists carbohydrate digestion
The Esophagus
Simple muscular tube is between 50-60 inches long
Moves food from mouth to the stomach
Few problems when consuming grass and hay
Rough and crunchy items can cause problems
Little reflux, can choke
The Stomach
Large muscular organ that liquefies the feed
Make up 10% of the capacity of the entire digestive system
Small amount of digestion happens
No nutrients are absorbed
Hydrochloric acid helps break down feed
Enzyme known as pepsin begins protein digestion
Food passes quickly. Time often is as little as 15 minutes
The Small Intestine
Partially digested food passes through from the...