How a horse’s digestive system works

digested food into the caecum explains Sara. The junction between the small intestine and the caecum is called the illeocaecal junction and is a prime spot for tapeworms.
The caecum itself is 1 5m to 2m long and holds up to 30 litres of fibrous food and fluid.
Contraction of the caecal muscles results in mixing of the food with microbes that digest tough plant cells via fermentation. This fibre breakdown produces substances called volatile fatty acids which can then be absorbed and used by your horse for energy explains Sara.
The large intestine
Otherwise known as the horses hind gut the large intestine is what makes a horses digestive system unique. As hind gut fermenters horses rely upon a factory of microorganisms that live within the large intestine to be able to release the energy from a foragebased diet.
A regular supply of fibre into the microorganism factory is key to keeping it healthy and functioning well advises Laura. Regular fibre intake maintains the complex balance in the large intestine reducing fluctuations in pH and preserving the microbes at optimum levels.
The large intestine which is almost 8m in length consists of the large colon transverse colon and small colon and is where most of the water absorption takes place and the remaining food matter is turned into faeces.
The amount and type of food ingested has a large impact on the amount of water held in the large intestine and the absorption of water and electrolytes adds Laura. This is important for maintaining gut motility and keeping your horse hydrated two key factors for general health and the prevention of colic.
The diameter of the large intestine varies from five to 50cm. The pelvic flexure only 8cm is where the large colon turns to change direction and this is a common site for impactions. The small colon is where faeces form into balls and are evacuated.
While most mineral absorption occurs in the small intestine research in more recent years has shown that minerals are also absorbed in the large intestine says Laura.
How to keep the digestive system healthy
Sara explains that attempting to mimic natural feeding and movement patterns is the key to keeping a horses digestive system functioning well. Horses with access to ample pasture will spend up to 18 hours a day grazing while slowly moving around the paddock which helps to stimulate gastrointestinal motility. So where possible regular turnout is the ideal way to ensure good digestive health in