Influence of type of feed, exercise, age and bodyweight on the weight of gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas in horses

Influence of type of feed, exercise, age and bodyweight on the weight of gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas in horses

Einfluss von Futterart, Bewegung, Alter und Körpergröße auf die Masse von Verdauungskanal, Leber und Pankreas beim Pferd

Meyer H, Stadermann B, Coenen M

DOI: 10.21836/PEM19930203
Year: 1993
Volume: 9
Issue: 2
Pages: 103-106

Based on publications the influence of exercising, feedstuffs, age and body size on the weight of the gastrointestinal iract (GIT), liver and pancreas was tested. After exercising the weight of rhe GIT as well as that of liver and pancreas dropped while after concentrate feeding the weight of these organs was higher than after hay feeding, especially the weight of the small intestine. Foals will be born with a relative small GIT which grows overproportionally in the following months. The weight of the GIT was linearly and proportionally related to body size, while liver weight seems ro be relatively lower in larger breeds.