What it looks like in a horses tummy?

Inside a horse's stomach, the environment is highly acidic and specialised for the digestion of plant matter. Here's a general overview of what it looks like:

1. Stomach Lining: The inner lining of the stomach is covered in a thick layer of mucous membranes. This lining helps to protect the stomach from the acidic environment and aids in the absorption of nutrients.

2. Acidic Environment: The stomach produces hydrochloric acid (HCl) and enzymes such as pepsin, which creates a highly acidic environment with a pH level of around 1-2. This acidic environment helps to break down plant fibres and proteins.

3. Rumen Compartment: In horses, the stomach consists of several compartments, and the largest one is the rumen. The rumen is a large fermentation vat where ingested food undergoes microbial digestion. Microorganisms, including bacteria and protozoa, break down cellulose and other complex plant materials, producing volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as by-products.

4. Reticular Compartment: The reticulum is located just in front of the rumen and is sometimes referred to as the "honeycomb" due to its appearance. It also contains microorganisms that aid in the fermentation process and absorbs some of the VFAs produced in the rumen.

5. Omasum Compartment: The omasum is a muscular organ that appears like a series of leaves or folds. It absorbs water and further breaks down plant material, allowing for efficient nutrient absorption.

6. Abomasum Compartment: The abomasum is the true gastric stomach, similar to the stomach of monogastric animals. It contains gastric glands that secrete HCl, pepsin, and other digestive enzymes to break down proteins and initiate protein digestion.

7. Digestive Movements: The horse's stomach undergoes regular contractions, known as "peristalsis" and "retropulsion." These contractions mix the ingested food with digestive juices and move the material through the different compartments of the stomach for efficient digestion.

8. Digested Material: As digestion progresses, the partially digested material, now known as "chyme," moves from the stomach into the small intestines for further nutrient absorption and processing.

It's important to note that the horse's digestive system is designed to handle a high-fibre diet, and any sudden changes in the diet can disrupt the delicate balance of microorganisms in the stomach, potentially leading to digestive problems.