NACA Animal Control Officers Practice Test

What is the digestive route of a horse categorized as?

1. Ruminant

2. Simple non-ruminant herbivore

3. Carnivore

4. Foregut fermenter

The correct answer is: Simple non-ruminant herbivore

The digestive route of a horse is classified as a simple non-ruminant herbivore. Horses have a unique digestive system that is different from ruminants like cows. Unlike ruminants, which have a complex stomach structure comprising multiple chambers to ferment and break down fibrous plant materials, horses possess a single-chambered stomach. Horses primarily rely on microbial fermentation occurring in their large cecum and colon, where fibrous substances such as grasses and hay are broken down. This allows them to extract necessary nutrients efficiently while still being classified as non-ruminants. Furthermore, their diet consists predominantly of plant materials, emphasizing their herbivorous nature. The other classifications do not accurately describe the horse's digestive system. While a horse does employ fermentation similar to foregut fermenters, its single-stomached system aligns better with the category of simple non-ruminant herbivores. Additionally, horses are not carnivores, as their diet does not include meat. Thus, the characterization of horses as simple non-ruminant herbivores captures their digestive process accurately.