The process of chewing, or mastication, is very important to a horse’s digestion. While digestion does not primarily occur in the mouth, chewing prepares food for its journey through the digestive tract. Chewing reduces food to smaller particles and mixes it with saliva, which moistens and lubricates it for easier passage. Saliva also contains enzymes that begin to break down starches, initiating the digestive process.
Why is Chewing Important for Horses?
Chewing is the initial mechanical process in digestion, facilitated by the muscles of mastication. Although mastication isn’t essential for digestion, it significantly aids the process by reducing food into smaller particles and mixing it with saliva. This saliva not only moistens dry food but also contains amylase, an enzyme that starts breaking down starches into simpler sugars.
How Does Chewing Affect Saliva Production?
Saliva plays a crucial role in digestion. It moistens and lubricates food, making it easier to swallow and pass through the digestive tract. Saliva also dissolves some of the chewed food, which is necessary to stimulate the taste buds. Furthermore, saliva contains enzymes like amylase that initiate the breakdown of starches into maltose.
What Happens if a Horse Doesn’t Chew Properly?
Without adequate chewing and saliva production, horses may experience several issues. Poor oral hygiene can result from bacterial overgrowth, leading to a diminished sense of taste and difficulties with speech.
How Does Tooth Wear Affect Chewing?
Tooth wear is a natural process, especially in animals that consume large amounts of grass. Adaptations such as high tooth crowns and extended tooth growth periods help animals cope with tooth wear.
What are the Other Functions of Saliva?
Saliva has several protective functions. It keeps the mouth moist and relatively free from food residues, inhibiting bacterial growth. Saliva also contains lysozyme, an enzyme that can dissolve certain bacteria. Additionally, saliva helps excrete certain organic and inorganic substances from the body.
Chewing is an important part of a horse’s digestion, and without it, they can experience several issues.
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