Recommended Horse Deworming Schedule – Veterinarian Explains

Horses, like several other grazing animals, are susceptible to internal parasites, sometimes known as worms.

These parasites can cause colic, weight loss, and in severe cases, even death, among other health problems.

For the sake of your horse’s general health, scheduling horse deworming treatments is very important. However, you undoubtedly wondered what deworming included and how it was carried out.

Don’t fret about it, this blog will assist you in comprehending the purpose and steps of deworming.

What is Deworming?

Deworming is the process of giving anthelmintic medications to horses in order to reduce or eradicate internal parasites, also referred to as worms.

In addition to other health issues, horses with these parasites may have gastrointestinal issues, poor coat quality, and weight loss.

Deworming is an essential and frequent part of good equine care. Strongyles are the most common worm species that infect horses.

They are also referred to as bloodworms, ascarids, roundworms, pinworms, and tapeworms.

Cattle may be exposed to these parasites if they graze on contaminated pastures, consume contaminated feed or water, or both.

To lower the likelihood of worm infestations, it’s also critical to continue with proper pasture management techniques like harrowing and alternating grazing areas.

Frequent counts of fecal eggs can be used to assess the success of the deworming programme and identify horses who might need more frequent deworming.

Horse owners may manage internal parasites, enhance their horses’ general health, and avoid any issues related to worm infestations by adhering to a thorough deworming programme and using excellent management techniques.

Month	Dewormer	Notes
January	Ivermectin	Rotate between different classes of dewormers
March	Pyrantel Pamoate	Monitor fecal egg counts and consult with vet if needed
May	Fenbendazole	Consider deworming based on horse’s individual needs
July	Moxidectin	Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for dosage
September	Praziquantel	Adjust schedule based on horse’s age and environment
November	Ivermectin	Maintain good pasture management practices

The Importance of Horse Deworming

Giving a horse medicine to eradicate internal parasites is known as deworming. If neglected, these parasites can lead to several health issues and significantly weaken your horse’s immune system.

Horses are particularly susceptible to parasites because they graze and eat from the ground, where parasites are common in excrement.

Furthermore, because of their close quarters and shared grazing grounds, horses living in groups or herd environments are typically more susceptible to parasite infection.

Frequent deworming is necessary for several reasons:

1. Better absorption of nutrients: Horses who have parasites may have trouble absorbing important nutrients from their feed. Deworming aids in the removal of these parasites, enhancing nutritional absorption and promoting general health.

2. Keeping internal parasite infestations at bay: Parasites may seriously harm a horse’s digestive tract, which can result in weight loss, a deteriorated coat, and decreased performance. Horse owners may efficiently control and eradicate these parasites, assuring their horses stay healthy and free from any issues, by deworming their horses regularly.

3. Enhanced performance: Stamina, energy, and general performance are frequently decreased in horses with high parasite loads. Regular deworming relieves internal parasite burden, allowing horses to function at peak efficiency.

4. Adequate equestrian care: Deworming is critical for the general health of the equine population as well as for the well-being of individual horses. Through managing parasite infestations, equestrians help curb the proliferation of parasites and safeguard the well-being of neighbouring horses.

5. Decreased risk of colic: Several parasitic species, including strongyles and ascarids, can irritate or clog the digestive tract, which raises the possibility of colic, a possibly fatal illness for horses.

Horse owners should collaborate closely with their veterinarians to create a thorough deworming programme customized to each horse’s unique requirements to guarantee effective deworming.

To avoid resistance, this programme usually entails switching up the dewormer classes and administering the right doses according to the weight and age of the horse.

Frequent fecal egg counts may also be advised to assess the program’s efficacy and make necessary adjustments.

Horse owners may provide their equine friends with the greatest care possible and ensure their long-term health, well-being, and performance by making routine deworming a priority.

Types of Parasites in Horses

Having a thorough understanding of the many equine parasite species is essential to creating a successful deworming plan. The most prevalent parasites affecting horses are as follows:

1. Cyathostomes (Small Strongyles)

One of the most common and dangerous parasites in horses is small strongyles, often referred to as cyathostomes or little redworms.

These worms can lead to several problems, including colic, diarrhea, and weight loss.

2. Strongylus Vulgaris (Large Strongyles)

Strongylus vulgaris and other large strongyles are less widespread these days as a result of efficient deworming procedures. If treatment is not received, they may cause serious harm to the horse’s arteries and other important organs.

3. Ascarids (Parascaris Equorum)

Roundworms, or ascarids, mainly infect young horses and foals. They may result in poor development, intestinal impaction, and respiratory problems.

4. Pinworms (Oxyuris Equi)

A less frequent but bothersome parasite that can cause skin irritation around the anus and tail rubbing is pinworms.

5. Tapeworms (Anoplocephala Perfoliata))

Horses who eat infected oribatid mites from pastures might get tapeworms. If treatment for these parasites is not received, colic and intestinal impaction may result.

6. Bots (Gasterophilus Spp.)

Bots are the larval stage of a type of fly that lays its eggs on the horse’s legs, mane, and coat. Once ingested by the horse while grooming, they attach to the stomach lining and can cause harm.

Understanding these parasites’ life cycles and identifying their presence in your horse is crucial for proper deworming and management.

Regular fecal egg counts can help determine which parasites are present in your horse’s digestive system and guide the appropriate treatment plan.

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Deworming Schedule

Your horse’s general health and well-being depend on you keeping up a planned deworming routine.

If left untreated, parasites can lead to several health concerns, including weight loss, bad coat condition, and digestive troubles.

Consequently, it is essential to adhere to a thorough deworming regimen that targets various parasite species at the right periods of the year.

Deworming should be done strategically, usually every 8 to 12 weeks, per the advice of a veterinarian or other horse expert.

Following the right dosage guidelines depending on the weight of the horse and switching up the dewormer kinds to prevent resistance are important aspects of proper deworming procedures.

Springtime (March–April)

This is the best time to treat your horse for strongyles, the most common and dangerous type of worms.

If left untreated, strongyles—both small and large—can seriously harm the digestive tract and other organs. Using a potent dewormer like moxidectin or ivermectin can help eliminate these parasites.

Summertime (June–August)

In the summertime, the warm weather is perfect for the growth and dispersal of threadworms and bot flies.

The eggs laid by bot flies on the coat of the horse can be eaten by the larvae, which can cause pain and even ulcers if they burrow into the horse’s mouth and adhere to the stomach lining.

However, threadworms can irritate the skin and brush against the tail.

Using a dewormer designed to particularly target these parasites, like as avermectin or a macrocyclic lactone, is advised at this time.

Fall (October–November)

Tapeworms are a major concern when the temperature cools off and can lead to colic, weight loss, and other digestive problems in horses.

Since praziquantel-based dewormers work well to eradicate tapeworms, they ought to be used during this time of the year.

Winter (December to February)

It’s crucial to continue your deworming regimen even though parasite activity is often lower in the colder months.

During this time, you can treat any residual parasites and stop their accumulation by giving them a broad-spectrum dewormer, like ivermectin or moxidectin.

Frequent fecal egg counts, or FECs, can also be used to track the success of your deworming programme and spot any possible resistance problems.

You may minimize the danger of parasite-related issues while also ensuring your horse’s general health and well-being by adhering to a planned deworming plan.

Deworming in Weanlings and Foals

Due to their underdeveloped immune systems, foals and weanlings are especially vulnerable to parasites. Deworming foals should be done every 4–8 weeks until they turn 1 year old.

Here is the advised deworming regimen:

• 2 Months of Age: Ivermectin (Zimectrin)
• 4 Months of Age: Oxibendazole
• Optional: Treat with Pyrantel Pamoate at 5 months
• 6 Months of Age: Moxidectin with Praziquantel (Quest Plus)
• 8 Months of Age: Pyrantel Pamoate
• Optional: Treat with Fenbendazole (Panacur) at 9 months
• 10 Months of Age: Ivermectin (Zimectrin)
• 12 Months of Age: Fenbendazole (Panacur)

It is important to acknowledge that this timetable is subject to modification in light of your local environment, pasture management techniques, and your horse’s requirements.

For a customized deworming program, speak with your veterinarian.

Deworming in Adults and Yearlings

Maintaining optimal health for your adult horse involves a meticulous deworming schedule tailored to their specific shedding levels.

By understanding and categorizing your horse as a low, moderate, or high shedder based on fecal egg count (EPG), you can implement a targeted deworming strategy to combat internal parasites effectively.

Low Shedders (<200 EPG)

• Spring (March): Administer ivermectin (Equell®, Zimectrin®, Rotectin®, IverCare®) or moxidectin (Quest®) after performing a fecal egg count.
• Fall (October): Consider ivermectin with praziquantel (Equimax®, Zimectrin Gold®) or moxidectin with praziquantel (Quest Plus®) for comprehensive parasite control.

Moderate Shedders (200-500 EPG)

• Spring (March): Treat with ivermectin or moxidectin after conducting a fecal egg count.
• Late Summer (July): Administer ivermectin for continued parasite management.
• Fall (October): Opt for ivermectin with praziquantel or moxidectin with praziquantel to address potential parasite burdens.

High Shedders (>500 EPG)

• Spring (March): Utilize ivermectin or moxidectin following fecal egg count assessment.
• Summer (June): Administer ivermectin for sustained parasite control.
• Early Fall (September): Consider ivermectin with praziquantel for a comprehensive deworming approach.
• Late Fall (November): Opt for moxidectin to target any remaining parasites effectively.

Monitoring and Adjustment

• Regular Fecal Egg Counts: Conduct fecal egg counts prior to deworming in spring and fall for high shedders to monitor resistance.
• Consult Your Veterinarian: Seek guidance from your vet to adapt the deworming schedule based on your horse’s specific needs and parasite challenges.

For a customized deworming programme, speak with your veterinarian.

Tests for Fecal Egg Counting

Fecal egg count testing, or FEC, is an essential technique in the development of an effective deworming programme.

By counting the parasite eggs in a horse’s feces, FEC testing provides crucial information on the parasite burden.

By identifying the horses that require deworming and those that do not, you may minimize the unnecessary use of dewormers and the risk of developing parasite resistance.

FEC testing needs to be done twice a year, ideally in the spring and autumn, or more frequently as your veterinarian prescribes.

Horses with high egg counts should be dewormed; however, your veterinarian may advise that deworming doesn’t necessarily need to be done immediately for horses with low or zero counts.

Pasture Maintenance

Good pasture management techniques need to be added to an effective deworming strategy.

The risk of reinfecting oneself with parasites, which may survive in the environment, exists for horses that graze on contaminated pastures.

Take into consideration the following methods for managing pastures:

• Rotate pastures frequently and give each one a few months off to interrupt the parasite life cycle.
• Harrowing or dragging pastures is a good way to expose parasite eggs and larvae to sunlight and desiccation.
• It is recommended to remove manure from pastures and dispose of it properly to reduce the parasite burden.
• Overstocking pastures increases the risk of parasite transmission, thus avoid doing so.
• Use rotational grazing or strip grazing to reduce pasture contamination.

Rotation of the Dewormer and Resistance

The worry among the equestrian industry over parasite resistance to dewormers is growing.

Resistance can arise from repeated exposure of parasites to the same kind of dewormer, enabling resistant populations to endure and multiply.

To combat resistance, it is essential to alternate between many dewormer classes and follow a methodical deworming regimen.-

For horses, dewormers come in several classifications, such as:

• Benzimidazoles
• Pyrantel salts
• Macrocyclic lactones
• Praziquantel (for tapeworms)

Create a dewormer rotation strategy with your veterinarian that targets various parasite species and reduces resistance by using a variety of dewormer classes.

Conclusion

Maintaining an effective deworming programme is essential for the overall health and welfare of your horse.

By being aware of the different types of equine parasites, following a recommended deworming schedule, using fecal egg count testing, managing pastures properly, and rotating different classes of dewormers, you can reduce the risk of parasite-related health issues.

Additionally, these practices support the responsible use of dewormers.

Since every horse and farm is unique, it’s critical to have a deworming strategy that is tailored to your specific circumstances.

Create a deworming schedule and review it regularly with your veterinarian, considering your horse’s specific requirements and the most recent recommendations.