The small intestine
In the small intestine, digestion happens with the horse's own enzymes: this is where starch, sugar, protein and fat are broken down and taken up.
General information, not individual feeding or ration advice. For your own horse, consult your vet or a nutritionist.
How does it work?
The small intestine is long, about 20 metres or more, and consists of three parts. Here enzymes break down starch and sugar into glucose, protein into amino acids and fat into fatty acids, and fat-soluble vitamins and some minerals are taken up too. The horse has no gallbladder; the liver releases bile continuously. Feed moves quickly through the small intestine, which helps explain why a large starch meal cannot be fully digested here.
Why it matters
The small intestine determines how much starch and sugar are digested properly before they reach the large intestine. Small, spread-out concentrate meals fit the limited capacity and the fast transit.
Common misconceptions
- Not all digestion happens in the stomach; most of the enzymatic work is in the small intestine.
- The small intestine cannot handle an unlimited amount of starch at a time; the surplus passes through to the large intestine.
Discover more
Sources: Kentucky Equine Research · Ohio State University Extension.