Transcript Equine Digestive Anatomy - Effects on Health and Performance

Equine Information Evening - Westport
Equine Digestive Anatomy
- Effects on Health and Performance
Nia O’Malley BSc Eq
23 Nov 2008
The horse…
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Unique digestive system:
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Foregut (digestion by enzymes)
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Similar to man, pig or dog
Hindgut (digestion by bacteria)
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Similar to cow, sheep or deer
By nature….
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Continuous grazers
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High fibre diet
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Small stomach size
Continuously secrete gastric acid
Saliva buffers gastric acid
Highly developed hindgut
Low starch diet
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Short transit time through foregut (3 hours)
Problems….
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Confinement
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Limited access to forage
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Occupational therapy!
Large meals
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Foragers
Overload the stomach
High starch diets
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Incomplete digestion - colic
Equine Digestive System
Stomach
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Small size relative to total GI tract
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Highly acidic
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Continuously secreting
gastric acid
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Optimal digestion when stomach
is no more than two thirds full
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Upper section prone to ulceration….
Gastric Ulceration
Upper Region
Reservoir for incoming food
Saliva buffers acid
Lower Region
Highly acidic
Thick mucous layer
Raised Ridge
Prevents overspill
Common area for ulcers
Gastric Lesions
Lesions
Erosions
Bleeding ulcer
Clinical Signs
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Poor performance
Poor coat
Loss of condition
Teeth grinding
Poor appetite
Depression
Intermittent colic
Behaviour changes
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Foals:
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Lying on back
Teeth grinding
Salivation
Poor nursing
Diarrhoea
Treat foals immediately
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Severe danger of sudden
gastric perforation
Prevalence
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93% race horses in training
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63% performance horses
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37% leisure horses
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57% foals
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However only 50% of those with gastric ulcers may
actually show clinical signs!!!
Optimal Stomach Health
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Keep meal sizes small for optimal digestion
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Avoid extended periods of time without
forage/grazing
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Avoid exercising too soon after exercise
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With foals avoid extended periods of time
without suckling
Small Intestine
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Long narrow tube (70 ft)
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Digestion of starches, proteins
and fats by enzymes
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Short transit time (3 hours)
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Starch overload….colic
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Very sensitive to change…
Optimal Digestion in the Small Intestine
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Introduce dietary changes slowly
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Keep meal sizes small to ensure optimum
digestion
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Cooked/processed feed ingredients allow for
more efficient digestion
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Adding oil to the diet slows passage of food
Large Intestine
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Digestion of fibrous material by
bacteria (18-36 hours)
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Very sensitive to change
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Starch feeds bad bacteria and
they proliferate…problems….
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Many twists and turns…
Optimal Digestion in the Large Intestine
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Avoid starch over-load
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Introduce dietary
changes slowly
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Ensure teeth in good
condition
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Always have fresh
clean water available
Good Feeding Practices
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Regular dentist visits
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Small meals
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Clean fresh water
always available
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When exercise starts
digestion stops!
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Know what you are
feeding
Forage always
available
Gradual changes to
feed/diet
Distribution of Blood Flow
ORGAN
AT REST
EXERCISE
Brain
10%
10%
Heart
5%
5%
Skin
5%
5%
Muscle
15%
80%
Kidney
20%
2%
Intestines
30%
3%
Other
15%
3%
Know what you are feeding
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Processed
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Cooked
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Whole/bruised/flaked
Micronised
Steam cooked
Feedstuffs
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Cereals
Alternative Energy Sources
Complete Feeds
Thank you for your attention!
Any questions?
Nia O’Malley
M: 087 9902651
E: [email protected]