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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the main site for fiber digestion in horses?
A
Stomach
B
Small intestine
C
Cecum
D
Esophagus
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that horses are non-ruminant herbivores, which means they have a unique digestive system compared to ruminants like cows.
Recognize that fiber digestion in horses primarily occurs in the hindgut, which includes the cecum and colon.
Identify the cecum as a large, pouch-like structure located at the beginning of the large intestine, which plays a crucial role in the fermentation and breakdown of fibrous plant material.
Acknowledge that the stomach and small intestine are primarily involved in the digestion and absorption of non-fibrous nutrients, such as proteins and simple carbohydrates.
Conclude that the cecum is the main site for fiber digestion in horses due to its role in microbial fermentation, which breaks down cellulose and other complex carbohydrates into volatile fatty acids that the horse can absorb and utilize.