Equine Body Systems Nutrition Test Review Equine Science

Equine Body Systems & Nutrition Test Review Equine Science

1. What is the function of the respiratory system? • • • Provides oxygen to tissues and cells Removes carbon dioxide from the body Controls body temperature Eliminates water Aids in voice production

2. List the parts of the respiratory system and give a description of each. • Nostrils—external openings • Nasal cavity—warm and moisten air; filter out dust particles; site of smelling • Pharynx—remove more impurities; place where food and air meet • Larynx—vocal chords; controls breathing • Trachea—windpipe • Bronchi—branches the trachea divides into • Lungs—expand when filled with air • Bronchioles—smaller branches of the bronchi • Alveoli—tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles where the exchange of gasses occurs

3. What is the function of the muscular system? • Provide movement • Active organs of motion • Contract or change shape when stimulated

4. Name three types of muscle and where each is located in the horses’ body. • Smooth—digestive system & uterus • Cardiac—heart • Skeletal muscle—usually attached to the bony levers of the skeleton

5. What are the five functional muscle groups? • • • Forearms Quadriceps Pectorals Back Stomach

6. What is the function of the skeletal system? • Gives shape to the horse • Provides protection for the internal organs • Combines with the muscular system to create movement • Stores needed minerals • Site of blood cell manufacturing • Stores fat (adults)

7. List the classifications of bones and give a description of each. • • Long—support body weight & aid movement Short-aid in shock absorption Flat—enclose vital organs Irregular—unpaired bones

8. The skeletal system is divided into what two sections? • Axial skeleton • Appendicular skeleton

9. List the parts of each of the two sections of the skeletal system. • Axial— – Skull – Vertebral column – Ribs – Breastbone or sternum – Pelvis – Tail • Appendicular skeleton— – Forelegs or thoracic limbs – Hind legs or pelvic limbs

10. How many bones are in the horses’ vertebral column? • Average of 54 bones

11. What are three types of joints? • Immovable • Slightly movable • Freely movable

12. What is the function of the digestive system? • • • Prehension of food Mastication Digestion Absorption Initial nutrient storage

13. Explain the difference between ruminants and non-ruminants. • Ruminants have greater fiber digestion

14. Are horses considered ruminants or non-ruminants? Explain. • Somewhere in between • Able to digest fiber in hindgut, but not in foregut

15. List the parts of the digestive system and give a description of each. • Lips—sucking, prehension of food, tactile • Tongue—tactile organ, mastication and swallowing • Salivary glands—lubrication and enzymes for carbohydrate digestion • Esophagus—muscular, opens to stomach • Stomach—limited enzymatic digestion, some fermentative digestion • Small Intestine—majority of nutrient absorption • Large Intestine—fiber digestion

16. What are equine nutrition needs based on? • • • Condition of the horse Breed (size) Activity level Age Gestational stage or lactation

17. What should be the foundation of all equine rations? • High quality roughages

18. What are the four main categories of nutrition requirements for horses? • • Energy (Digestible Energy or DE) Protein (Crude protein or CP) Minerals (Calcium or CA and Phosphorus or P) Vitamins

19. What are the five groups of feeds used in equine rations? • • • Roughages Concentrates Protein supplements Minerals vitamins

20. Formulate a ration for an 880 lb. mare in the last 30 days of its gestation. Select from the feedstuffs below to use in your ration. Be sure you end up with a balanced ration. • • Alfalfa, early bloom Timothy, early bloom Oats Barley Soybean meal Molasses Limestone Oystershell

• Example: • Alfalfa— 12 pounds – DE = 12 lb x 1. 02 megacalories/lb = 12. 24 MC – CP = 12 lb x 0. 180 lb/lb = 2. 16 lb – Ca = 12 lb x 5. 81 g/lb = 69. 72 g – P = 12 lb x 0. 86 g/lb = 10. 32 g – Vitamin A = 12 lb x 23. 00 IUs/lb = 276 IUs • Oats— 3 pounds – DE = 3 lb x 1. 30 megacalories/lb = 3. 9 MC – CP = 3 lb x 0. 118 lb/lb = 0. 354 lb – Ca = 3 lb x 0. 36 g/lb = 1. 08 g – P = 3 lb x 1. 54 g/lb = 4. 62 g – Vitamin A = 3 lb x 0. 02 IUs/lb = 0. 06 IUs

• Example: – DE = 12. 24 MC + 3. 9 MC = 16. 14 MC – CP = 2. 16 lb + 0. 354 lb = 2. 2 lb – Ca = 69. 72 g + 1. 08 g = 70. 8 g – P = 10. 32 g + 4. 62 g = 14. 94 g – Vitamin A = 276 IUs + 0. 06 IUs = 276. 06 IUs – 15 pounds of feed/day NEEDED: --DE = 16. 1 MC/day --CP = 1. 56 lb/day --Ca = 31 g/day --P = 13 g/day --Vitamin A = 24. 0 IUs/day --13. 2 -->17. 6 lbs of feed per day (1. 5%-->2% of body weight)