Equine Flashcards
A horse is considered geriatric is if is greater than ____ years
20
Geriatric horses are in increasing segment of the population
A horse should be fed based on the needs of ??
Large intestinal tract
T/F: horses have continuous dentition eruption and continuously growing teeth
False
Yes - continuous eruption
No - continuous growing (teeth are a fixed length)
The maxilla is wider than the mandible in the horse, what dentition problems can arise ?
Points on the outside of the maxilla and on the inside of the mandible
T/F: hooks can form on the rostral incisors of the maxilla, and at the caudal aspect of the molars on the mandible
True
The stomach of a horse is can hold about ___L of content
8
this is the same size as a lg pg–> small meals “nibbler”
Where are high quality proteins digested?
Pre-cecal
-mixed feeds are up to 55% digested in SI
Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K are absorbed where?
Small intestine
Digestion and feed intake problems will occur if more than _____% of the small intestine of a horse is removed
50
Average length is about 70ft
What is the goal of carbohydrate absorption in the horse?
That 100% of crabs are absorbed in small intestine (ideally)
–> hydrolyzable carbohydrates; starches
What nutrients are absorbed in the SI of horse?
Protein -as amino acids Fat- triglycerides and glycerol Sugars and starches- glucose Vitamins (ADEK) Minerals - Ca, Mg, and Phos
Feed from a single meal can appear in the large intestine within ____ hours from intake
2
Where is the primary site of water absorption in horse
Large intestine
Digestion in the large intestine is largely a result of ??
Microbial fermentation
Microbes within the large intestine break down ____________ to produce VFA
Structural carbohydrate of plants (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lingo-cellulose)
What clinical disease will results form an altered microbial ecology in the large intestine?
COLIC (and die)
Starch and fructans are _________ type of carbohydrate
Non-structural
Cellulose, hemicellulose, lingo-cellulose, and lignin are _________ type of carbohydrate
Structural
Hydrolyzable carbohydrates are absorbed in the __________
Small intestine
Fermentable carbohydrates are absorbed in the _______________
Large intestine
T/F: high quality pasture or hay could fulfill the daily nutrient requirement of most horses
True
What should be used to assess long-term nutrition of a feeding regimen for horses?
Body condition
The nutrient composition is most variable in _______
Forages
- due to growth and harvesting conditions
T/F grains vary little in nutrient composition
True
How does processing effect rate of passage through the GI?
Increases rate of passage thus decreasing digestibility
- this is usually outweighed by an increased SA
About 30% of phosphorus is available due to ________
Phytates
Phytates and oxalates affect the availability of what micronutrient?
Calcium
__________ is essential for proper function of the GIT in horse
Forage
Cellulose –> volatile fatty acids –> lipid synthesis and gluconeogenesis
________ acre of good pasture can support 2 mature light breed horses
1
__________ acres of dry rage pasture (eg Rocky Mountains and Great Plains) is needed to support 1 horse/year
30-60
Why do we want to maximized the roughage components of horse diet?
Economical
Benefits horse by decreasing predisposition to vices
Mimic pasture situation
Leaves contain 2/3 energy and 3/4 protein
What is the criteria for good quality hay?
Harvested early -digestibility and protein content decreases as it matures
Free of mold, dust, weeds
Not undergone excessive weathering
Leafy and not stemmy
What can make legumes have a variable nutrient composition?
Leaves store much of nutrients. If lost will change composition
__________ provides 2-3x more protein and Ca than hays, and also is a source of carotene and vitE
Legumes
T/F: the nutrient composition of grasses is more variable than legumes
False
Leaves are more firmly attached- less loss of quality dependent on harvesting
What are the advantages of beet pulp?
High energy -fermented in large colon
Can substitute for roughage or grain
Can be 50% of diet
Low glycemic index (prevent metabolic disease)
Rice, oats, barley, and husked sorghum are all ???
Seeds with hulls
Hulls are high in fiber!
Milo, corn, wheat, and rye are all??
Seeds without hulls
T/F: grains are high energy and fiber, but very low Ca and most vitamins
False
High energy
Low fiber, Ca, vitamins
What are the advantages of corn?
Twice the energy of oats
Lower cost/unit
Consistent quality
High vitA
What are disadvantages of corn?
Requires careful management
Lower protein content than oats
Lowest quantity of protein (low in lysine and tryptophan)
Mold toxicity - fusarium moniliform
What are the advantages of oats
Safer due to higher fiber content
Better protein quality and quantity than corn
What are the disadvantages of oats?
Inconsistent quality (vary due to amount of hulls present)
Cost
What is the most common protein supplement used for horses?
Soybean meal
High in lysine and tryptophan (ideal for corn based diets which are low in both of these)
What is the best recommended source of fat for horses?
Corn oil
2x the digestible energy of corn
The combination of high fat/roughage diet can prevent daily dry mater intake from exceeding 2.5% BWt. Why might this be beneficial?
Decrease amount of weight carried
Minimizes potential for carbohydrate overloading
In the high fat diet, the fat component is added by adding _________. Should oils be added as well?
Rice bran
No oils-> will make the food unpalatable
What are the two types of commercially prepared feeds?
Complete feeds - have some form of roughage and can be fed without additional hay
Grain mixes- must have an additional source of roughage
What are the advantages of using complete feeds
Increased intake
Decreased waste
Requires less storage space
Not dusty and no hay belly
What are disadvantages to using complete feeds
Predisposed to choke
Hidden poor quality feeds
