Anatomy & Physiology
Section outline
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The hind gut of the horse acts as a large fermentation chamber which would not function without the resident bacterial population that lives there. Because fermentation occurs in the hind gut, horses are referred to as hind gut fermenters.
FUN FACT - In comparison, the rumen of cattle performs a similar function with bacteria fermenting much of the fibrous portion of their feed. Therefore cattle are considered fore gut fermenters as the rumen is the first chamber of the digestive system where food is received after passing through the esophagus from the mouth.
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