Functional Anatomy of Non-ruminant herbivores (Modified Ruminants)

T/F: Horses gain the benefits of microbial death

False, horses do not gain the protein

T/F: Horses do not have a gall bladder

True

Non-Ruminant anatomy: How is a modified ruminants anatomy able to function?

The cecum and large intestine contain about the same bacterial population as in the rumen with out a rumen

Bacterial production in the cecum and LI is necessary for...

Fiber digestion (Cellulose)

Cellulose can only be broken down by..

Cellulase, because mammalian enzymes are not able to break it down

Cellulase is made by__________ in the __________.

Bacteria, Hindgut (or rumen)

How long is the esophagus in a mature horse?

50-60"

Horses cannot vomit and live for 2 reasons:

1. Extreme Muscle tone at the lower end of the esophagus
- (Esophageal, or cardiac sphincter)
2. No reverse peristalsis
- (wave of muscle contractions)

T/F: In horses, the stomach will most likely rupture before vomiting, usually along the seam of the Greater curvature of the stomach

True

Non-Ruminant anatomy: The stomach is ridiculously ________, about _____% of the total GIT capacity

small, 8.5%

Non-Ruminant anatomy: There is little to no nutrition absorption here, and and very little (if any) bacterial fermentation here

Stomach

Non-Ruminant anatomy: The small intestine comprises about _____% of the GIT capacity

30%

Non-Ruminant anatomy: The small intestine in a mature horse is about ______ long

60 feet

There are 3 segments of the small intestine:

- Duodenum
- Jejunum
- illeum

Digestion and Absorption in the Small Intestine: Carbohydrates

Starch is broken down into glucose and absorbed
(CANNOT BREAKDOWN CELLULOSE IN SI)

Digestion and Absorption in the Small Intestine: Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals

digested and absorbed the same as in monogastrics

T/F: Bile is required for the emulsification of fats

True

If a horse DOESNT have a gallbladder how is bile incorporated in the digestive system?

There is a steady dribble of bile into the SI through the BILE DUCT from the LIVER

Why do you have to limit the inclusion of fat in a horses diet?

A horse does not have a gall bladder

In regards to the cecum, horses are AKA

Hind-gut fermenters

T/F: the cecum functions like the abomasum in ruminants

False, the cecum functions like the RUMEN

Non-Ruminant anatomy: Where does microbial fermentation of forage occur?

The Cecum

Digestion and Absorption in the Cecum: Protein

Microbial protein is present after the cecum, but there is no SI after the cecum to absorb

Digestion and Absorption in the Cecum: Carbs

Fermented in the cecum just like in the rumen of cattle
(VFA's are produced and absorbed)

Digestion and Absorption in the Cecum: Vitamins

Bugs make water-soluble vitamins E&K
(there is no small intestine after to absorb)

Non-Ruminant anatomy: Large intestine

WATER and some minerals (phosphorus) absorption

What is Colic?

Any type of digestive pain in a horse

T/F: Most of the time, colic is caused by a malfunction in the stomach

False: mostly caused by a malfunction of the cecum

Other factors of Colic:

- Moldy feed
- Lack of water
- abrupt diet change
- excess grain