How do horses digest cellulose?

Horses digest cellulose primarily through a process of fermentation in their large cecum and colon. They possess a large cecum filled with microbial populations that break down cellulose into simpler sugars and volatile fatty acids. This fermentation process allows horses to extract energy from fibrous plant material, which is essential for their diet, primarily consisting of grasses and hay. Unlike ruminants, horses do not have a multi-chambered stomach, but their unique digestive system is well-adapted for processing high-fiber feeds.