The liver is the body’s clearance centre for many drugs and toxins, and is critical for the metabolism and detoxification of foreign substances, which makes it particularly susceptible to damage from drugs, poisonous plants and other products. LIVER Failure Liver by Dr Jennifer Stewart Equine Veterinarians Australia Most liver conditions in horses are due to poisonous plants and mouldy feed. T Dr Jennifer Stewart was an Official Veterinarian with NSW Thoroughbred Racing and Sydney Turf Club for over 20 years. She speaks at educational seminars and consults to racing, breeding and endurance clubs, owners and trainers in Australia, the Middle East, South Africa, Philippines, SE Asia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Turkey. he liver is the largest gland in the body, weighing around five kilograms in average horses and up to 10 kilograms in draught horses. Unlike other species, the horse has no gall bladder and the bile produced from the liver constantly flows through a five centimetre long, 1.5 centimetre wide duct into the small intestine. As the largest organ in the body and the first organ exposed to substances eaten or swallowed by the horse, the liver is the body’s clearance centre for many drugs and toxins, and is critical for the metabolism and detoxification of foreign substances, which makes it particularly susceptible to damage from drugs, poisonous plants and other products. The liver has many roles – including regulation of energy metabolism, making drugs and nutrients bioactive so they work in the body (biotransformation), detoxification, excretion, storage of vitamins and minerals, producing B vitamins (synthesis) and defence. Liver disease is classified as acute, chronic, or congenital. www.d r j ennif er stewar t.com www.eva.or g .au For more information on Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) go to: To read more click to purchase this issue or subscribe.