Horse digetion Flashcards
What are the main characteristics of a horse’s mouth?
Upper AND lower incisors
mobile lip
What are the salivary glands (horse)
parotid
sublingual
submaxillary
Do horses make enzymes in their saliva?
No
What is the difference between the esophagus of a horse and a cow?
Horses do not ruminate. Their esophagus only works in one direction and the cardiac sphincter is so strong that horses cannot even throw up
What is unique about the stomach of a horse?
horses have smaller, less muscular stomachs compared to other species. This causes them to have greater digestive disturbances
Horses should be fed…
more than one meal a day
What organ do horses lack that other animals have?
the gallbladder
there is continuous secretion of bile from the liver into the small intestine
What are the three parts of the large intestine of a horse?
- cecum
- large colon
- small colon
What is the site of soluble carbohydrate digestion? (wheat, oats, corn, barley)
the small intestine
What is the site of fiber digestion in a horse?
large intestine
Colic
a potentially fatal syndrome, manifested by mild to severe abdominal pain and depression
What is the cause of colic?
- gut compaction and/or dehydration
- too much or too rapid grain consumption
- stoppage of intestinal flow
- parasites/gas production/improper husbandry
What are the symptoms of colic? (3)
pawing, kicking at the belly, abnormal postures
Founder
problems with too much/too quick eating can cause acidosis and production of endotoxins
What is the most common cause of founders?
excess soluble CHO in grain or lush pastures
