Equine Nutrition Flashcards
What are the three types of GI tracts?
- Monogastric - Omnivores: pigs, bears, rats.
- Hindgut fermenter - Herbivore: horses, rabbits, Guinea pigs.
- Ruminant - Herbivore: cows, alpacas, llamas.
T/F: Hindgut fermenters have a simple GI system with a large cecum.
Where is the cecum located?
- True! Cecum is an important part of their GI tract.
- Cecum is located between the small and large intestine
Where does the fermentation of food occur in the hindgut fermenter?
Fermentation occurs in the cecum. That’s why it’s so big!
Where does the enzymatic digestion occur?
Small intestine!
After the food has been broken down into smaller bit through the oral cavity, it will pass through the esophagus. The surface area increases as it moves to the small intestine, where enzymatic digestion will begin.
T/F: Hindgut fermenters are not designed to extract nutrients from roughage
False! They are designed to extract roughage (grass or hay) by fermentation
In the large intestine & cecum, microbial fermentation occurs. This produces _____. A horse can extract up to _____kcals per pound of hay.
- Volatile fatty acids (VFAs)
- They can extract up to 900 kcals per pound of hay
What is absorbed in the large intestine? (2)
- Water
- Electrolytes: Na, K, Cl, Ph
How much and how often should a horse be fed?
Frequently and small meals. They have a simple stomach!
A horses enlarged cecum & large intestine is dedicated to digesting primarily ____.
Fiber digestion
Many nutrition disorders occur due to humans changing horse diet & eating habits. What are some reasons?
- To fit the owners schedule (work, school, etc).
- Convenience (giving 2-3 large meals a day).
- Availability of feedstuff.
Define forage
Grass, hay, or plants for horses to eat
In what ways is the quality of forage affected? (4)
- Plant type
- Climate
- Growing conditions of forage
- Cutting conditions
What are the four essential nutrients for horses?
- Water
- Forage - hay or pasture
- Grain - occasionally
- Supplements
T/F: Hindgut fermenters can digest mold & toxins due to their ability to digest roughage.
FALSE!!
Forage should be free of mold and toxins. Be sure the forage is palatable and provide significant amounts of nutrition.
Alfalfa and clover hay are what type of hay?
Legume