1. Equine Digestive System

2. Function
To break down food molecules into smaller molecules the body can absorb
Fuels the bodies activities;

3. How does digestion occur?
Mechanical Digestion- physical breaking and tearing of food (mastication)
Chemical Digestion- acidic breakdown of food

4. Where does it all start? Horses Mouth!
Incisors and lips are used to grasp food and bring into the mouth
Pre-molars and molars are used for grinding the food
Saliva starts chemical digestion

5. 2. Down the esophagus the food goes!
Hollow, tube like structure ringed with muscles
Swallowing is a chain reaction of the muscles contracting to push the food into the stomach
4-5 feet long

6. 3. Stomach Horses have a stomach similar to humans
Muscular organ that contracts to squeeze food
Produces acids to chemically separate foods into their individual component
Small, can’t contain a lot of food at one time (Mgmt)
8- 17 QT capacity
Food only stays here 15min

8. 4. Small Intestines This is were nutrients are absorbed
Beginning of the SI continues to break down food into its basic nutrients (fats, carbs, proteins, vitamins, minerals, water)
as it progress through the length of the intestine, the nutrients are absorbed across the lining and into the blood stream.
70 ft. long, 48 QT capacity
30-90 minutes

9. 5. Cecum Horses are considered to be modified monogastrics (1 stomach)
Modified because they have a cecum
An enlarged pouch-like structure located at the beginning of the large intestines
Contains microbes (bacteria and protozoa) that break down hay and grass
4 feet long, QTS
several hours

10. Cecum, cont
An odd shaped organ, the entrance and exit are both located at the top
Can cause problems if the horse doesn’t drink enough water
Compaction= pain= colic

12. Large Intestines 6. Large Colon
Absorbs the nutrients from the hay/grass
Contains microbes
10-12 feet long, 80QTS

13. Large Intestine 7. Small colon 10-12 ft long, but only 10cm wide
Materials that are not digestible by the horse are left (everything else was digested)
Removes moisture from what is left
Feces

14. 8. Rectum and Anus Storage area for feces (1ft)
Exterior opening to remove feces from body
Digestive process takes from hours to complete

16. Management Issues
Gastro-intestinal tract of the horse is very sensitive
Must change food slowly over 7-14 days to give the microbes a chance to adjust
Colic is a major concern-
Twist in the gut, impaction, blockage