Nutrition Flashcards
Horse’s GI tract function?
Horse’s GI tract function?
.Horse’s digestive tract is designed to cope with large quantities of roughage because they constantly graze.
.The gut is long because it deals with cellulose which is relatively difficult to digest & needs to be held in the GI tract for longer.
Foregut parts?
Foregut parts?
.Mouth .Pharynx .Oesophagus
.Stomach .Small intestine
.Deals with concentrated feed & only small amounts.
Hindgut parts?
Hindgut parts?
.Caecum .Large colon. .Small colon
.Rectum .Anus
.Deals with roughage & large amounts.
Mouth parts?
Mouth parts?
.Lips .Incisors
.Canine teeth .Premolars
.Molars . Salivary glands
.Tongue .Oropharynx
Stomach?
Stomach?
.Cardiac sphincter - small ring muscle that allows food into the stomach.
.Pyloric sphincter - muscle ring at the end of the stomach which moves food to the small intestine this stage is called chyme.
.When empty is relatively small (rugby ball size)
.Can expand to (9 - 18L)
.Gastric juice - is stimulated by the arrival of food into the stomach. Produces (10-30L) daily.
.Is designed to remain partially full at all times. Most food passes out of the stomach within 45 minutes but some for 2 hours.
Feeding?
Feeding?
.Don’t feed too much in one feed.
.Spread throughout the day.
Small intestine?
Small intestine?
.Major site for the breakdown of concentrated food such as starch & protein.
.For the absorption of nutrients.
.The lining is covered with small hair like villi which give a huge surface area to aid absorption.
.Gut wall - consists of a layer of longitudinal muscle & circular muscles. They work against each other to push the bolus of food in one direction called (peristalsis).
. Duodenum, jejunum & ileum have a volume capacity of approx 50L.
Peristalsis?
Peristalsis?
.Food is passed through the intestines by involuntary muscular contractions called peristalsis.
Duodenum?
Duodenum?
.Approx 1m long & forms an S shape bend.
.Into it flows bile secreted by the liver & pancreatic juices.
Jejunum?
Jejunum?
.Approx 20m long
.Amino acids, vitamins minerals & glucose are absorbed into the bloodstream.
.Fatty acids & glyceral are taken up by a separate system called the lymphatic system as minute globules to distribute fat around the body by the vascular system.
Ileum?
Ileum?
.Approx 2m long
Large intestine?
Large intestine?
.The major site for the fermentation of roughage.
.Is held in place only by its bulk and due to flexures where the gut narrows and changes direction, it is prone to blockages which result in the horse suffering from colic.
Caecum?
Caecum?
.First part of large intestine.
.Can hold 35L
.Food reaches there about 3 hours after a meal and remains in the large intestine for 36 - 48 hours.
Fermentation?
Fermentation?
.Digestion of roughage begins in the caecum by the process of fermentation.
.It is activated by a population of bacteria and protozoa specific to each particular type of feedstuff.
. Cellulose is broken down to release volatile fatty acids. The microorganisms also synthesis essential vitamins.
Large colon?
Large colon?
.3-4m long and hold approx 82L.
.There are bacteria in the large colon which continue the fermentation of cellulose.
Small colon?
Small colon?
. Approx 3-4m long and capable of holding only 14L.
.Waste is formed into faeces here.
Concentrated feeds?
Concentrated feeds?
.Never feed too much concentrated feeds because the horse cannot digest and utilise large amounts of carbohydrates which can cause problems such as Laminitis and Azoturia.
A balance diet is essential to?
A balance diet is essential to?
.Sustain life
.Maintain condition
.Provide warmth
.Provide energy for maintenance and work
.Satisfy the appetite
.Provide the nutrients necessary for healthy growth.
Difference between macronutrients & micronutrients?
Difference between macronutrients & micronutrients?
.Nutrients are classified as macronutrients & micronutrients.
.Macronutrients are needed in larger quantities than micronutrients.
Macronutrients?
Macronutrients?
.Carbohydrates
.Lipids (fats & oils)
.Proteins
.Water
Micronutrients?
Micronutrients?
.Vitamins & minerals which are essential for body functions.
.Deficiency signs are cracked hooves to infertility.
Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates?
.Are the main energy source. Energy is needed for all bodily functions including breathing, eating, moving, growing, pregnancy & lactation.
. Carbohydrates are chemical substances found in plant & animal cells: their functions are to yield & store energy.
.They are formed by plants as a result of photosynthesis, the process whereby the plant uses the energy of the sun to create energy from co2 & water. This chemical energy is stored within the plant as soluble & insoluble carbohydrates.
.Carbohydrates can be readily converted to and stored as fat.