Here's a breakdown:
* Cecum: This is a large, pouch-like structure at the beginning of the large intestine. It's where the majority of roughage fermentation occurs.
* Large Colon: This section of the intestine also plays a significant role in fermentation, further breaking down the roughage.
The hindgut of horses is home to a diverse population of microbes that are essential for digesting the cellulose and other complex carbohydrates found in roughage. These microbes produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which are the primary energy source for the horse.
It's important to note: Horses are hindgut fermenters, meaning they rely heavily on microbial fermentation in their hindgut to extract nutrients from their diet.