Equine Digestive System Parts

Incisors

Nip off plant materials

Upper lip

Sorting

Tongue

Manipulates feed

Mechanical digestion

Molars grind feed to increase surface area of particles

Bolus

Feed in mouth and esophagus

Esophagus

Tube to stomach, 4-5 ft long, transports bolus by swallowing

Peristalsis

Muscle contractions that move food through GI Tract

Stomach

Separated into regions, smaller than rest of tract, protein digestion begins

Glandular

Area that secretes acid for digestion and secretes mucus to protect cells

No

Can horses vomit?

Small intestine

Made of 3 parts, absorbs carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, lipids, holds 10-12 gallons

Duodenum

Receives food and mixes with bile to break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates

Jejunum

Absorbs nutrients and finishes breaking down food

Ileum

Final nutrient absorption and moves food to cecum

Pancreas

Releases enzymes for digestion of starch, lipids, and protein

Liver

Releases bile for digestion of lipids

Large intestine

Made of 4 parts, holds ~29 gallons, digests and absorbs fiber/water/,some minerals and vitamins

Fermentation

Break down fiber and produce Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs)

Rectum

Reabsorbs water content