Thus, if they overeat or eat something poisonous, vomiting is not an option. Horses are unable to regurgitate food, except from the esophagus. The digestive system of the horse is somewhat delicate. Although this is not always possible with modern stabling practices and human schedules that favor feeding horses twice a day, it is important to remember the underlying biology of the animal when determining what to feed, how often, and in what quantities. In practical terms, horses prefer to eat small amounts of food steadily throughout the day, as they do in nature when grazing on pasture lands. Ruminants like cattle are foregut fermenters, and digest fiber in plant matter by use of a multi-chambered stomach, whereas horses use microbial fermentation in a part of the digestive system known as the cecum (or caecum) to break down the cellulose. However, unlike humans, they also need to digest plant fiber (largely cellulose) that comes from grass or hay. Horses are non- ruminant herbivores of a type known as a " hindgut fermenter." Horses have only one stomach, as do humans. Correct and balanced nutrition is a critical component of proper horse care. Grass is a natural source of nutrition for a horse.Įquine nutrition is the feeding of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, and other equines. Feeding of domesticated equines such as horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |