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8/ FEBRUARY 2019 THE RIDER The Way of Horses:


Part 2 - Equine Digestive System - The Intestine


It’s a question about the equine lized.


intestine that could keep you awake at night. When you know the an- swer you’ll sleep more soundly. A horse’s meal leaves the


By Eleanor Blazer Copyright @ 2018


Why is small 60 feet in length and large only 25 feet?


stomach through the pyloric sphincter and enters the small intes- tine – a tube that is approximately 60 feet in length and holds about 15 gallons of material. Most of the nutrients in the


Ontario’s Horse


Industry Newspaper! P.O. Box 378,


Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 (905) 387-1900


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grain portion of the diet (non-struc- tural carbohydrates) are absorbed in the small intestine. The nutrients are broken down by chemicals se- creted by the pancreas, liver and in- testinal mucosa and are then absorbed through the small intes- tinal wall. Non-structural carbohydrates


(NSC) or soluble carbs (starch and simple sugars) must be digested within the small intestine. If large quantities of NSC’s reach the large intestine colic may result. For this reason grain meals should be small and only fed if needed. Overfeed- ing grain pushes the soluble carbo- hydrates quickly through the small intestine – allowing them to reach the large intestine before being uti-


At certain times of the year or


day, and when a rain follows a drought, grass may also contain high levels of NSC’s. For more in- formation on safely feeding horses forages visit http://safergrass.org The non-digested structural


(insoluble) carbohydrates now pass from the small intestine and into the large intestine. Any non-structural carbs not utilized in the small intes- tine also arrive in the hind-gut… and we hope there are not many. The total length of the large in-


testine is about 25 feet, but it holds approximately 30 gallons of mate- rial – twice as much as the small in- testine. A unique part of the equine


large intestine is the cecum. Horses and rabbits have highly developed cecums. The cecum is a fermentation


vat. Within the cecum are microbes (bacteria and protozoa) that aid in the digestion of cellulose and fiber (structural carbohydrates). The main source of cellulose and fiber is forage….what the horse is de- signed to eat and utilize.


The microbes are somewhat


specific as to what they digest. A drastic change in diet or the arrival of non-structural carbohydrates dis- rupts the balance of bacteria and protozoa. Excessive fermentation occurs - producing lactic acid. This acidic environment kills large num- bers of beneficial bacteria. The un- healthy environment can lead to colic. Poisonous toxins are also re- leased into the bloodstream causing laminitis. The material not utilized


within the cecum now travels into the colon. There are some design flaws


with the equine colon. The opening leading from the


cecum to the large colon is only 3 to 4 centimeters...about 1 ½ inches in diameter. This is a prime spot for blockages. The large colon folds back on


itself several times. It also has nar- row passageways and blockages can occur in these areas. In addition to these problems


the only thing that holds the colon in place is bulk. So a hungry horse without access to forage and an


empty colon is a prime candidate for a twisted gut (colic). Microbial digestion continues


in the large colon. Any remaining vitamins, fatty acids and water are absorbed. The remaining material then


travels into the small colon…an- other very narrow tube where blockages can occur. The small colon also is free to move and can become twisted if empty. Any remaining moisture in the


material is extracted; fecal balls are produced and deposited. The design of the equine di-


gestive system requires plenty of good quality forage. You will now sleep better knowing what 60 feet is and what’s 25 feet….and how to keep it healthy.


* Earn a Bachelor of Science De- gree in Equine Studies or certifica- tion as a Professional Horse Trainer or Riding Instructor. Start your new career as a riding instructor, horse trainer, or stable manager. All courses are online. Visit www.horsecourseson-


line.com for information.


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