Term
| Describe the Mouth as it is related to the horse's digestive system. |
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Definition
The mouth is the first part of the digestive tract. This is where the food enters and
is chewed by the horse's teeth, also known as mastication and the food is wetted the food
with saliva.
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Term
| Describe the Esophagus as it is related to the horse's digestive system. |
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Definition
The esophagus is used to carry water and chewed food, known as a bolus,
down towards the stomach for further digestion. It is located on the left side of the horse's
neck. The esophagus helps move food down the neck with movement called peristalsis,
with wave- like contractions. Food enters the stomach through a one way valve. |
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Term
| Describe the Stomach as it is related to the horse's digestive system. |
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Definition
There is little digestion in the stomach of a horse and it is the smallest out of
any other farm animals!!
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Term
| Describe the Small Intestine as it is related to the horse's digestive system. |
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Definition
The small intestine is 70 feet long!! It is where most of the protein that a
horse eats is digested. Many vitamins and minerals are also absorbed here. The small
intestine is divided into three parts; the duodenum, right after the stomach, the jejunum,
right after the duodenum, and finally the ileum, right before the large intestine.
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Term
| Describe the Large Intestine as it is related to the horse's digestive system. |
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Definition
The large intestine of a horse is divided into 4 very important parts
including:
1.) Cecum
2.) Large Colon
3.) Small Colon
4.) Rectum
*Each of these has varying functions which we will cover in the upcoming cards. |
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Term
| Describe the Cecum as it relates to the horse's digestive system. |
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Definition
The cecum is the first part of the large intestine. The cecum is the location of
bacterial fermentation, just like the rumen of a cow. It is located on the right side of the horse. The bacteria located here help break down the fibers or roughage that a horse
consumes, something that humans cannot do (because they don’t have these digestive
bacteria).
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Term
| Describe the Large Colon as it relates to the horse's digestive system. |
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Definition
| The large colon is where water is absorbed and fecal matter begins to form |
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Term
| Describe the Small Colon as it relates to the horse's digestive sytem. |
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Definition
| Most of the water absorption from fecal matter occurs here |
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Term
| Describe the Rectum as it relates to the horse's digestive system. |
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Definition
The last portion of the large intestine and colon where feces sits until it leaves
the body through contraction. |
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Term
| Describe the Anus as it relates to the horse's digestive system. |
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Definition
The end of the digestive tract. The anus is a muscle that closes of the digestive
tract to the outside until feces is emptied. |
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Term
| How many pounds of feces does an average horse produce each day? |
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Definition
| About 33 -50 pounds daily!!! |
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Term
| Once food is broken down, and absorbed what does the animal's body use it for? |
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Definition
| Energy, growth, and maintenance. |
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Term
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Definition
1- Mouth
3-Esophagus
6-Stomach
9-Large Colon
10-Cecum
11-Small Intestine
13-Rectum
14-Anus
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