ANSWERS: 7
  • Because they have no porcelain god to pray to? =) Just kidding! Horses can't vomit because of the power of the cut-off valve muscle. Horses have a band of muscle around the esophagus as it enters the stomach. Food freely passes down the esophagus into the stomach as the valve relaxes but the valve squeezes down the opening and cuts off the passage for food going back up. Also, their esophagus meets the stomach at an angle which enhances the cut-off function when the horse's stomach is bloated with food or gas. Then the stomach wall pushes against the valve, closing the esophagus even more completely from the stomach. Normally, the mechanics are such that the horse's stomach ruptures before the valve yields. Humans also have this cut-off valve muscle, but ours is not as strong.
  • They've got a very weak gag reflex....... um, so I've been told.
  • Because the muscles in the cardiac sphincter valve leading into the stomach are very strong, it is almost impossible for a horse to vomit. It is more likely that the stomach will rupture in the event of an over-consumption of feed. Instead horses are more prone to colic
  • Horses have a non return valve in the top of their stomach, It does not allow the food to come back up. It is one of the reasons colic is so prevalent in horses. Their digestive system is fragile and badly designed for the strains humans put it under.
  • I didnt know they couldnt:)
  • I never that thanks. They'd be great to take on a roller-coaster ride.
  • I never knew they couldn't.

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