Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Faecal Energy Loss in Horses
Faecal energy loss in case of horse is ______ % of gross energy intake.
- 5-10
- 20-30
- 35-40 — Correct Answer
- 40-50
Explanation:
Correct Answer: 35–40%
Horses are hindgut (caecum and colon) fermenters. Their fermentation is less efficient than rumen fermentation, resulting in faecal energy loss of 35–40% of GEi — between ruminants on concentrate and ruminants on roughage.
Faecal Energy Loss — Species Comparison
| Species / Condition | Faecal Energy Loss |
|---|---|
| Ruminant (roughage) | 40–50% |
| Horse | 35–40% |
| Ruminant (concentrate) | 20–30% |
| Pig | 20% |
Why Horses Have Higher Faecal Loss Than Pigs
- Horses digest fibre in the hindgut (caecum & large colon) after the small intestine — less efficient
- Pigs are true monogastrics with no significant fibre digestion → lose less faecal energy on grain-based diets
- Fermentation occurs after protein/fat absorption in horses → microbial protein unavailable to horse
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- 5–10% → too low for any large herbivore
- 20–30% → correct for ruminants on concentrate diet; not horses
- 40–50% → correct for ruminants on roughage; horses are slightly more efficient
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
