Digestive System

Question 1

How long is the small colon?

Answer 1

10 feet

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 31

Question 2

How long is the small intestine?

Answer 2

65 feet

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 29

Question 3

How long is the large intestine?

Answer 3

25 feet

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 30

Question 4

What four parts of the digestive tract make up the foregut?

Answer 4

Mouth, Esophagus, Stomach & Small Intestine

Source: AYHC Horse Industry Handbook, 705-2

Question 5

What four parts of the digestive tract make up the hindgut?

Answer 5

Cecum, Large Colon, Small Colon, and Rectum

Source: AYHC Horse Industry Handbook, 705-2

Question 6

How long is the horse’s esophagus?

Answer 6

4-5 feet

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 28 / Equine Science, Griffiths, p. 109

Question 7

How long is the cecum?

Answer 7

4 feet

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 28

Question 8

How long is the large colon?

Answer 8

10-12 feet

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 28

Question 9

How much does the horse’s stomach hold?

Answer 9

8-17 quarts (2-4 gallons)

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 28); (Equine Science, Griffiths, p. 110

Question 10

What percentage of the horse’s digestive system is the stomach?

Answer 10

8%

Source: The Horse, Evans, p. 191

Question 11

How much does the horse’s small intestine hold?

Answer 11

48 quarts

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 28

Question 12

The small intestine provides approximately what percent of the capacity of the gastrointestinal tract?

Answer 12

30%

Source: The Horse, Evans, p. 192

Question 13

How long does food remain in the horse’s stomach?

Answer 13

15-45 minutes

Source: AYHC Horse Industry Handbook, 705-1

Question 14

The gastrointestinal tract is approximately how many feet long?

Answer 14

100 feet

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 27

Question 15

Name the nine parts of the alimentary canal. (aka digestive tract)

Answer 15

Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, cecum, large colon, small colon, rectum

(Source: Horses and Horsemanship, Ensminger, p. 219)

Question 16

The primary site of digestion and absorption of nutrients in the horse is where?

Answer 16

Small intestine

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 29

Question 17

Name the enzyme of the stomach which helps digest proteins.

Answer 17

Pepsin

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 29

Question 18

The pouch at the junction of the small intestine and colon is termed what?

Answer 18

Cecum

Source: The Horse, Evans, p. 192

Question 19

Material which is not or cannot be digested in the small intestine passes into what part of the digestive system tract?

Answer 19

Large intestine or cecum

Source: Equine Science, Griffiths, p. 111-112 / Horses and Horsemanship, Ensminger, p. 220

Question 20

What is the name of the tract that is a musculo-membranous tube that extends from the mouth to the anus?

Answer 20

Gastrointestinal

Source: The Horse, Evans, p. 118

Question 21

What is the capacity of the large colon?

Answer 21

20 gallons

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 31

Question 22

In the horse, the bile is secreted directly into where from the liver?

Answer 22

Small intestine

Source: The Horse, Evans, p. 192

Question 23

A 1,000 pound horse normally produces how many pounds of manure each day?

Answer 23

40 to 50 pounds

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 31

Question 24

How do horses digest cellulose?

Answer 24

Bacteria in the cecum & large intestine

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 33

Question 25

What is the holding capacity of the cecum?

Answer 25

28-32 quarts

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 28

Question 26

Which part of the horse’s digestive system serves as a functional appendix?

Answer 26

Cecum

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 31

Question 27

What is the term for the mix of animal excrements and bedding?

Answer 27

Manure

Source: Horses and Horsemanship, Ensminger, p. 467

Question 28

What are the 3 parts of the small intestine?

Answer 28

Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 29

Question 29

Name the middle part of the digestive system?

Answer 29

Jejunum

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 29

Question 30

What is the first part of the digestive system?

Answer 30

Mouth

Source: The Horse, Evans, p. 190

Question 31

What is the name given to the waste matter of digestion?

Answer 31

Manure (feces)

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 31

Question 32

Where does digestion begin?

Answer 32

In the mouth

Source: AYHC Horse Industry Handbook, 705-1

Question 33

What are the 5 major parts of the horse’s digestive tract?

Answer 33

Mouth, Esophagus, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine

Source: Equine Science, Griffiths, p. 108

Question 34

How many quarts can the large intestine hold?

Answer 34

130 quarts

Source: Horse Science (National 4-H Council), p. 28

Question 35

In what part of the large intestine do the formation of fecal balls begin?

Answer 35

Large colon

Source: Equine Science, Griffiths, p. 113

Question 36

What is the average total time it takes food to travel through the horse’s body from the mouth to the rectum?

Answer 36

Approximately 36 to 72 hours OR 2 to 3 days

Source: Equine Science, Griffiths, p. 114