Cellulose Digestion Absorption and Metabolism between the Cow and Horse Cows and horses are herbivores with a similar diet consisting mainly of plant materials such as hay grasses and grains However they have different digestive systems that allow them to efficiently break down and utilize these materials In particular the process of cellulose digestion absorption and metabolism differs between cows and horses Both cows and horses rely on microbial fermentation to digest cellulose However the structures within their digestive tracts are different Cows have a four chambered stomach including the rumen reticulum omasum and abomasum In contrast horses have a simple stomach and a large complex hindgut consisting of the cecum colon and rectum In cows cellulose digestion begins in the rumen where microorganisms break down cellulose into simpler compounds such as volatile fatty acids and gas These fatty acids are then absorbed and used as a source of energy by the cow Horses on the other hand rely on bacterial fermentation in the cecum and colon to break down cellulose into fatty acids and other compounds The absorption of nutrients in cows and horses also differs In cows volatile fatty acids produced during cellulose fermentation are absorbed across the rumen wall and transported to the liver where they are further metabolized In horses the VFAs produced in the hindgut are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and transported to the liver Horses have developed a unique adaptation in their colon called the colonocyte allowing them to absorb more water and electrolytes from their food The metabolism of fatty acids in cows and horses also differs In cows these are primarily metabolized in the liver and converted into glucose which can then be used as a source of energy by the cow Horses on the other hand have a higher capacity to metabolize fatty acids directly into energy in their muscles and other tissues allowing them to maintain high levels of physical activity for longer periods of time In conclusion while cows and horses have similar diets their digestive systems and processes for cellulose digestion absorption and metabolism differ significantly Overall the cow s digestive anatomy and the microorganisms in its digestive system are well adapted to digesting cellulose which allows cows to efficiently extract energy from plant based diets that would be difficult for other animals to digest However this also means that cows have a limited ability to digest diets that are high in fat and protein as their digestive system is optimized for breaking down plant fibers Cows rely on fermentation in the rumen while horses ferment cellulose in their hindgut The absorption and metabolism of volatile fatty acids also differ between the two species with cows relying more on the liver for metabolism and horses having a higher capacity for direct energy production from fatty acids