Final answer:
The digestive system of older horses undergoes age-related changes that can make eating more difficult. Taste buds become less sensitive, making food less appetizing, and other factors such as tooth loss and reduced saliva production can contribute to difficulties in eating. Swallowing may become challenging, and food moves slowly through the digestive tract due to reduced muscular strength and tone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The digestive system of older horses undergoes age-related changes that can make eating more difficult. These changes begin in the mouth and affect various aspects of digestion.
Taste buds become less sensitive, reducing the appetite for food. Loss of teeth, gum disease, and reduced saliva production can also contribute to difficulties in eating.
Additionally, swallowing may become challenging, and ingested food moves slowly through the digestive tract due to reduced muscular strength and tone. This can be caused by changes in neurosensory feedback, which slows down the release of enzymes and hormones.