Transcript The Digestive System

The
Digestive
System
Created by Lindsey Blaine for the
Phantom Riders 4H Club
Objectives
By understanding the structure and function of the
unique digestive system of the horse you can
appreciate proper feeding techniques
1. Label the structure (anatomy) parts of the digestive
system
2. Understand the basic function (physiology) of the
digestive system
Unique Digestion
 The digestive system of a horse is different from other farm
animals. The horse has a single compartment stomach like
a human or dog but the horse can utilize roughages like a
cow or sheep, which are ruminants. This is possible
because of a special type of intestine.
 Digestion is the process of preparing food for absorption
from the alimentary canal into the blood stream and
elimination of unabsorbed residue from the body.
The Mouth
 The first part of the
digestive system
 Initial breakdown of
feeds
 Mastication (chewing)
 Horses secrete about 10
gallons of saliva a day
Pharynx
 Swallowing (deglutition)
 6 inch muscular sac
 Food must move through pharynx quickly so it doesn’t
enter windpipe
 Once food/water enter pharynx it cannot return to the
mouth due to blocking action of the soft palate
 For this same blocking reason, horses cannot breathe
through their mouth
Esophagus
 Did you know horses can’t
vomit?
 This muscular tube is 50-60
inches long
 Extends from pharynx down left
side of neck to the stomach
 Choke can occur in horses
when food or other materials
become lodged in the
esophagus
 Peristalsis (wave-like
contractions) moves food and
water along – it is a one way
action
Stomach
 The horse’s stomach is small (8-19 quarts) which
makes frequent meals important
 Similar in form to non-ruminant
 Many types of stomach disorders can occur from
improper feeding
Small Intestine
 70 feet long, holds 48 quarts
 Makes up 30% of tract
 Fast rate of passage
 Horses have no gall bladder
 Absorption of many nutrients
(amino aids, sugars, fatty
acids, minerals, and vitamins)
occur here
 Villi increase surface area
which helps absorption
Large Intestine
 Made up of 4 parts
(cecum,
large colon, small colon, rectum)
 Cecum
 Microorganisms help digest
 Large Colon
 10-12 feet long, diameter 8-10 inches
 More absorption
 Small Colon
 10-12 feet long, diameter 3-4 inches
 Water absorption
 Characteristic balls of feces formed
 Rectum
 Extends 1 foot from small colon to anus
 A horse normally voids 33-50 lbs of manure
a day
Review
 Can you name these parts?
Anatomy Terms:
Esophagus
Small Intestine
Large Colon
Anus
Small Colon
Stomach
Cecum
hindgut
You’re almost done!
But before you move on…Review the material
To receive your
Phantom Riders HORSE certificate of the Digestive System
you must score 80% or higher on the quiz.