Article: Education is Bliss Publication: Island Horse Magazine Date: April 19/06 Words: 1,400 Welcome back and congratulations to Island Horse Magazine for creating such a success… Before we begin to delve into the often frustrating world of “ What should I be feeding my horse?”, it is absolutely crucial that we have a solid understanding of the Equine Digestive System. Compare this to the difference between the person who knows nothing about cars, like myself, and someone who has an understanding and appreciation of the inner workings of their vehicle. It goes without saying that the car with the knowledgeable will last longer, be more efficient, and if cars had emotions, would be a great deal happier than my car! This is because the owner knows exactly how the engine works with the transmission, where the appropriate fluids go, and how to maintain a clean and well-functioning system. Not only do they know how to achieve optimal performance in their car, but they can also recognize a problem sooner and usually identify the cause. So before you jump on the next feeding bandwagon, take the time to educate yourself on the intricacies of your horse's digestive tract. You may be saving your horse and yourself a great deal of agony, both physically and financially! Beginning at the Beginning The Equine Digestive Tract begins in the mouth, a mysterious place, which many horse people do not know nearly enough about. Many digestive problems begin where food is initially broken down, with the teeth and the mouth. Your horse's mouth changes throughout their life, but the function stays the same – the front teeth are designed to rip grass and the cheek teeth are designed for chewing the food. It is important to remember that in the mouth “the whole is more than the sum of it's parts”, meaning that every “part” must work together in harmony. Optimally, a horse's top and bottom cheek teeth should contact in a centred position. If the front teeth are too long, it may be difficult for the cheek teeth to break down food, as they will be held apart. This will also place pressure on the temperomandibular joint or TMJ, the joint responsible for the chewing action of the jaw, often causing discomfort and difficulty moving the jaw. In this imbalanced state, food often moves past the teeth and into the digestive tract without the appropriate breakdown or exposure to enzymes in the saliva. This can lead to problems once the food has reached its next major destination - the stomach. A regular teeth floating program can go a long way towards maintaining a healthy, happy digestive system. Big Horse, Small Stomach Horses are natural grazers. Their stomach and intestinal tracts are designed for constant consumption of fibrous matter, 17-20 hours a day of grazing to be more exact. A typical horse stomach has a capacity of approximately 8-15 liters. This is only 10% of the capacity of the digestive tract. Compare this to the stomach of the typical ruminant, such as a sheep, which contains approximately 70% of the capacity of the intestinal tract, or up to 36 liters. The big message is this – horses are not designed to handle large amounts of feed at one time. Consider the percentage of horses that are fed a large grain meal once or even twice per day. Horses are not designed to have a large intake of high carbohydrate or protein food in a short period of time. If the meal is too large, the stomach enzymes and acid will not be able to fully break down the grain or destroy all unhealthy visitors entering the body in the food. It is also very important to remember that an empty stomach can also pose a problem in the form of excess gas, which in the worst case can lead to a ruptured stomach and death. Optimally, a horse should have a constant intake of fiber in the form of a variety of forage, with feeds occurring 2-5 times per day. Onwards and downwards After exiting the stomach, enzymes in the small intestine work to break down and utilize all sugars, proteins, and fats present in the food consumed. The small intestine makes up 30% of the total weight of the equine digestive tract, and is where the all proteins, soluble carbohydrates and fats are hopefully broken down and absorbed. Food moves quickly through the upper gut, as this is mainly designed as a conduit for transporting insoluble carbohydrates (fiber) into the hindgut. Millions of good bacteria are present in the hindgut to breakdown fibre and produce several essential nutrients. The hindgut of a horse is one of the largest and most complex of all animals, making up approximately 60% of the digestive tract. It is made up of two parts, the cecum and the colon, both designed specifically to breakdown and utilize plant fiber. In the cecum the fiber undergoes a fermentation process, moving into the colon for further digestion and absorption. Fermentation occurs with the help of friendly bacteria, producing volatile fatty acids, a very important nutrient source for the horse. The hindgut also acts as a reservoir for electrolytes and water. As travel through the hindgut is slow and the organ folds back on itself several times, it is important that feed intake is consistent so that impaction can be avoided. Remember as well that movement, lots of horseplay, a constant supply of water and love are major components in a well-functioning digestive tract To re-iterate, protein, soluble carbohydrates and fats can only be broken down in the small intestine. If these substances are not adequately broken down and absorbed in the small intestine they will pass through into the hindgut. Unfortunately, the bacteria in the hindgut are incapable of further breakdown of these substances. When they attempt to break these substances down, they initiate a self-destructive chain of events, producing toxic gas as a by-product which leads to their death. Further gas and toxins is created by the fermentation of these indigestible substances. The subsequent acidic environment is the perfect breeding ground for an abundance of unhealthy bacteria, candida yeast, and parasites. A poor coat, loss of weight, dull eye, stiffness or discomfort and lack of energy are just a few of the indicators for this type of unhealthy internal environment. Do horses have a gallbladder? You may be surprised to learn that horses are missing this small but helpful organ. In humans this organ produces a substance called bile which breaks down fats. We produce this substance to match our need, with more being produced when we ingest a greater amount of fat. In contrast, horses have a constant drip of bile from the liver. This means that large amounts of oil can be very difficult to break down in the small intestine and may pass through to the large intestine, where it is impossible to break them down. Some will be absorbed of course, producing those lovely shiny coats and wonderful weight gain. But, give some thought to where the rest might be… Scary huh? So hopefully you're feeling more ready to make more educated decisions about your horse's nutrition. When the next feeding bandwagon trundles by, have a very discerning look at the benefits of this feed change for the digestive tract of your horse. Does it work to benefit the function of their digestive system? Tips to improve Equine Digestion and Absorption • Make any feed changes slowly to allow enzymes and good bacteria to adjust. • Feed appropriately for the activity level of your horse. Grain should be added to provide additional energy only. • Feed hay as many times as possible throughout the day to mimic a natural environment. • Feed large amounts of roughage, including branches, seeds, and 1 st cut hay. Add a flake of slightly richer hay occasionally. Feed as much as your horse will eat. • Adequate water and electrolytes are essential for effective digestive function, as well as for the function of the nervous and muscular systems (eg. salt lick, celtic sea salt). • If possible, plant beneficial herbs in your horse's paddock or field. They will choose exactly what they need to repair their body and improve their well-being. • Allow easy access to vitamins and minerals. • Check teeth and worm regularly to ensure your horse is able to breakdown and utilize nutrients from food and supplements. • A happy, healthy emotional environment will improve the function of the digestive tract |