GIT - Equine

Question 1

Are horses ruminants or non-ruminants?

Answer 1

Non-ruminant herbivores (they have one stomach)

Question 2

Why has their digestive system evolved?

Answer 2

To digest a high fibre, low starch diet

Question 3

What are the 2 sections of the horse digestive system?

Answer 3

1. Similar to pre-ceacal digestive system of a mono-gastric

2. Similar to the rumen in a cow

Question 4

What is included in the foregut?

Answer 4

Mouth/teeth
Oesophagus
Stomach
Small Intestine

Question 5

What is included in the hindgut?

Answer 5

Caecum
Large intestine
Rectum
Anus

Question 6

What are the functions of the digestive system?

Answer 6

Mechanically and chemically digest food,
Allow the absorption of food,
Assist the elimination of solid waste

Question 7

What are the 2 main functions of the mouth?

Answer 7

Chew

Wet food with saliva

Question 8

What is the function of the molars?

Answer 8

They grind food and mix it with saliva in preparation for swallowing

Question 9

What is mastication?

Answer 9

Lateral and vertical movement of the jaw

Question 10

How many chews does it take for a kg of fibrous roughage?

Answer 10

4,000 chews per kg

Question 11

How long does it take to chew 1kg hay, 1kg oats?

Answer 11

hay - 40mins

oats - 10mins

Question 12

What are the functions of saliva?

Answer 12

Lubricate food, buffer acidity of stomach, no digestive enzyme activity

Question 13

When is saliva produces?

Answer 13

Only when chewing, horses do not produce saliva in anticipation for food.

Question 14

What is the role of the stomach?

Answer 14

Transport food from the mouth to the stomach

Question 15

What is peristalsis?

Answer 15

A series of muscular contraction and relaxations that squeeze the food along

Question 16

What is the name of the joint that connects the oesophagus to the stomach?

Answer 16

Cardiac Sphincter - it is a one way valve

Question 17

What is the transit time of the stomach?

Answer 17

Between 20 minutes and 2-3 hours

Question 18

What are the two main regions of the stomach?

Answer 18

Non-glandular region (top)
Glandular region (bottom)

Question 19

What is the function of the non-glandular region of stomach?

Answer 19

Holding area

Question 20

What is the function of the glandular region of the stomach?

Answer 20

Food mixes with gastric juices (HCl and pepsin) in fundic region

Question 21

What happens in the stomach?

Answer 21

Food is mixed with pepsin (enzyme utilised in the digestion of protein) and hydrochloric acid (which helps break down solid particles)

Question 22

What is the main practical implication of the stomach?

Answer 22

Unable to hold large amounts of food due to inelastic properties of stomach wall

Question 23

What are the three parts of the small intestine?

Answer 23

Duodenum, jejunum and ileum

Question 24

What is digested in the small intestine?

Answer 24

Starches, sugars, proteins and fat/oils

Question 25

What is absorbed in the small intestine?

Answer 25

Sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, trace elements and vitamin A,D and E

Question 26

What is the function of the jejunum?

Answer 26

Main site of absorption

Question 27

What is the function of the duodenum?

Answer 27

Mixing digesta and secretions

Question 28

What makes small intestine good for absorption?

Answer 28

Increased surface area due to mucosal wall being folded, and villi.

Question 29

What is the function of the pancreas?

Answer 29

Controls glucose metabolism (insulin). | Pancreatic juices neutralise acidic material flowing from duodenum.

Question 30

What increases the surface area of the small intestine?

Answer 30

Folds in the mucosa Villi Microvilli

Question 31

What is the function of the large intestine?

Answer 31

Responsible for fibre digestion (starch and sugar snot broken down in SI) Absorbs water, minerals, volatile fatty acids & B vitamins

Question 32

What does large intestine consist of?

Answer 32

Caecum Colon Rectum

Question 33

How big is the Caecum?

Answer 33

Approx. 1m length and can hold 25-30litres

Question 34

What is the main function of caecum?

Answer 34

Break down plant material, can also digest soluble carbohydrates

Question 35

What happens in the colon?

Answer 35

Water and electrolytes are absorbed

Question 36

What are three Volatile Fatty Acids?

Answer 36

Acetic, Propionic and Butyric

Question 37

What are functions of bacteria?

Answer 37

Ferment only one type of food. Grain fed horses have less efficient bacteria compared to hay fed