Equine Nutrition Flashcards
What percent of a horses body weight should it eat in total food each day?
2%
A 1200-pound horse would eat how many pounds of food each day?
24IB
What are the 2 main functions of the digestive tract?
Digestion
Absorption
The equine digestive tract is composed of what 5 major parts?
Mouth
Esophagus
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine
How long is the horses Esophagus?
4 to 5 feet
What is the capacity of the stomach?
2 to 4 gallons (8% of the digestive tract)
The small intestine is mainly responsible for absorbing what?
protein
fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K)
minerals (calcium and phosphorous)
energy (fat)
What is the capacity of the small intestine?
10 to 12 gallons (70 feet long)
What is the capacity of the Cecum?
7 to 8 gallons
How long does it take food to pass through the Cecum?
up to 2 days
The cecum is responsible for mainly absorbing what?
Water
The Cecum of a horse is equivalent to what body part in a human.
The appendix
How large is the large colon?
Length = 12 feet
Capacity = 14 to 16 gallons
How large is the small colon?
Length = 10 feet
Capacity = 5 gallons
What is the energy-producing nutrients that are fed to a horse?
Carbohydrates
starch
sugar
fiber or cellulose
fat