The small intestine
Food processed in the stomach passes into the small intestine, which is approximately 15 to 22m long and can hold 55 to 70ℓ.
The small intestine is broken down into three sections: the duodenum, jejunum and the ileum.
The majority of the digestion occurs in the small and large intestines.
- Enzymes break down proteins, fats, starches and sugars.
- Pancreatic enzymes help to digest the food.
- Carbohydrates help to digest sugar and starch.
- Protease enzymes break proteins down into amino acids.
- Lipase enzymes and bile from the liver break down fats (bile constantly flows into the small intestine from the liver as horses don’t have a gallbladder in which to store the bile).
- Pancreatic juices help to maintain an optimal environment for the digestive enzymes to function.
After this digestive process, the feed is absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and carried via the bloodstream to the respective cells that need the nutrients.
Vitamins A, D, E and K are also absorbed in the small intestine, as well as some minerals such as calcium and phosphorous.
Fun Fact
It can take between 30 minutes and four hours for food to pass through the small intestine.
Toxic feeds in the small intestine
Horses can succumb to colic or even death if fed toxic materials. Unlike a cow who has bacteria in the rumen that can combat toxic materials before it reaches the small intestine, a horse is unable to detoxify harmful foods. Toxic feed is then directly absorbed into the bloodstream and the horse can fall ill. For these reasons, it’s very important to not feed a horse mouldy, spoiled or contaminated feed.