Equine Nutrition

Question 1

foregut

Answer 1

mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine

Question 2

mouth

Answer 2

graze with front incisors

Question 3

esophagus

Answer 3

enters stomach at oblique angle

Question 4

stomach

Answer 4

very small, less than 10% of the gi tract

Question 5

small intestine

Answer 5

30% of the gi tract, powerhouse of digestion, break down non-structural concentrates (sugars and starches)

Question 6

can horse regurgitate?

Answer 6

NO, the oblique angle and sphincter on the stomach make it impossible

Question 7

hindgut

Answer 7

large intestine, cecum, large colon, small colon, rectum, anus

Question 8

cecum

Answer 8

65% of gi tract, cellulose is digested here

Question 9

large intestine

Answer 9

absorbs water, get energy (volatile fatty acids)

Question 10

what kind of fermentors are horses?

Answer 10

HINDGUT FERMENTORS

Question 11

two parts of the daily ration

Answer 11

roughages and concentrates

Question 12

roughages

Answer 12

2-2.5% BW, MIN of 1%

Question 13

concentrates

Answer 13

grain, .5-1% BW

Question 14

water

Answer 14

consume 10-12 gallons daily
- increase on hot days, work, or with hay intake

Question 15

mineral blocks

Answer 15

make sure the horses are getting electrolytes and maintain homeostasis

Question 16

locations we look at for BCS

Answer 16

crest of neck, withers, loin, tailhead, ribs, behind the elbows

Question 17

feeding in the winter

Answer 17

hay=primary forage
– supply plenty of water

Question 18

feeding in the summer

Answer 18

reduce feeds that create heat
–> feed pasture and grain
–> clean water and salt availability

Question 19

moldy hay

Answer 19

cannot regurgitate, horse will absorb mycotoxins and it will go through most of their digestive tact

Question 20

blister beetles

Answer 20

beetles that feed on alfalfa flowers, produce toxin cantharidan which causes blisters (dead or alive)

Question 21

colic

Answer 21

abdominal pain
–> many forms (gas, torsions, impaction, etc)

Question 22

laminitis

Answer 22

rotation of coffins bone, inflammation of sensitive laminae, front feet most susceptible

Question 23

causes of laminitis

Answer 23

shock - blood shunted to organs
founder - horse overeats sugars and starches
excess confusion - hard work surface

Question 24

number 1 cause of death in horses

Answer 24

colic

Question 25

number 2 cause of death in horses

Answer 25

laminitis

Question 26

fescue toxins

Answer 26

endophyte infested fescue is bad for late gestation mares ad is inhibits blood flow causing agalactia and red bag placenta

Question 27

how to change a horses diet?

Answer 27

slowly, horses do not have gallbladders so the bile cannot be stored here. If a horse has a quick change in diet it will have diarrhea