Hindgut fermenters Flashcards
main site of digestion of non-fibrous carbs, protein, and fat?
small intestine
site of digestion of fibrous material
Large intestine (fermentation through microbes)
stomach
small (10%)
regulates flow to small intestine
digester time in stomach = 2-6 hours
pyloric region
excretes hydrochloric acid for digestion of proteins
soluble carbohydrates
starches and sugars
how do horses secrete bile
The presence of hydrochloric acid, from the stomach, in the small intestine stimulates the liver to secrete bile into the small intestine.
why is it important for horses to have small and frequent meals?
if meals are to large or the pyloric sphincter is weak a blockage could occur in the small intestine causing colic or laminitis.
colic
abdominal pain caused by build up of gass or blockage in the GIT
different parts of the hindgut in horses
cecum, large colon, small colon and rectum
functions of the hindgut
fermentation of dietary fibre by microbes
reabsorption of water
products of fermentation
methane, CO2, water, B-vitamins and some amino acids
Are high or low fiber diets beter for horses?
why?
high, starch (from cereals) is fermented faster than fiber in the cecum of hindgut fermenters, this produces lactic acid and large amounts of VFAs causing colic, laminitis or acidosis.
what makes the caecum of horses unusual
both the entrance and exit is located at the top meaning horses need to maintain water supply when eating drymatter to prevent impactions
Function of the large colon
absorb b vitamins produced during fermentation
parts of the large colon
right and left ventral colons
dorsal colon
