Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Faecal Energy Loss in Horses
Faecal energy loss in the case of horse is approximately what percentage of gross energy intake?
- 5–10% of GEi
- 20–30% of GEi
- 35–40% of GEi — Correct Answer
- 40–50% of GEi
Explanation:
Correct Answer: 35–40% of GEi
The horse, being a hindgut fermenter, has faecal energy loss of 35–40% of GEi. This is intermediate between ruminants on concentrate (20–30%) and ruminants on roughage (40–50%).
Why Horses Have High Faecal Losses Compared to Pigs?
Horses ferment fibre in the caecum and colon (hindgut), but fermentation occurs after enzymatic digestion. Since the VFAs produced in the hindgut are partially absorbed but less efficiently than in the rumen, more energy is lost in faeces.
Hindgut Fermenters
- Horse, Rabbit, Ostrich — fermentation in caecum and colon
Foregut Fermenters
- Ruminants (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, camel) — fermentation before enzymatic digestion (rumen)
- Pig has some foregut fermentation in stomach but is primarily monogastric
📚 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.
