Internal parasites affect reproduction, growth, performance, and the overall well-being of our horses; so
it is vital to the health of your animal that parasite control is your top priority. While no single
protocol for parasite control will fit every situation, there are certain guidelines that all good horse
owners can follow in establishing a parasite management program.
More than 150 types of internal parasites are known to infect horses. However, from a practical standpoint,
the 4 most significant ones are strongyles, ascarids, pinworms, and bots. This article offers various
recommendations for developing an effective parasite control program.
Parasite Control:
- Always determine the weight of your horse before deworming. Administering dewormer at a rate lower
than specified will only increase parasite resistance.
- Always drag pastures during the summer to expose eggs and larvae to heat. This will ultimately kill
the parasites and enhance your pastures.
- If possible use a rotational grazing system. Not only will this method enhance pasture quality, but
if you rotate a few days after deworming you will break the parasite cycle.
- In Highlands County, one mature horse per five acres is a reasonable stocking rate; to avoid parasite
build up, never overgraze or overstock your pastures.
- Generally parasites are "species specific" and do not affect other species; so grazing horses with
other species of livestock; such as cattle and or goats will decrease the amount of parasites exposed
to your horse.
- Check all horses for bot eggs; those tiny, light yellow dots stuck to the hair of your animal, usually
on the legs and stomach. Clipping eggs off or applying a warm, wet sponge to the infested area to induce hatching
are both effective measures for bot prevention.
- It is essential to keep water, feed, hay, and mineral trophs free of manure contamination, which contains
parasite eggs and larvae.
- Use effective fly and mosquito repellent. House and stable flies often serve as hosts or carriers of
parasites and diseases.
- Consult your veterinarian about identifying which parasites are affecting your horse. Knowing which
parasite you are dealing with will enable you to administer the correct dewormer that is formulated to kill
the parasite at hand. Also, knowing this information can decrease your costs for dewormers.
General information About Dewormers:
- Always purchase from a reputable dealer and always check the expiration date, follow instructions on
the carton unless instructed otherwise by a veterinarian.
- Never expose the dewormer to extreme heat, such as the inside of your truck.
- To discourage resistance and maximize protection of your horse, rotate deworming compounds (Ivermectin,
Fenbendazole, and pyrantel pamoate). (Reference chart follows)
Annual Rotation Chart |
Time of Year: |
Winter (Jan) |
Spring (Mar) |
Grazing Season (May) |
Grazing Season (July) |
Fall (Sept) |
Winter (Nov) |
| Product: |
Fenbendazole
-Panacur
-Safe Guard-
power dose
|
(CHOOSE ONE) |
Ivermectin or Moxidectin
-Ivercare
-Quest
-Zimecterin
-Equell
-Iverease
|
(CHOOSE ONE) |
Pyrantel Pamoate
-Rotectin P
-Strongid
-Stongyle-
care
|
(CHOOSE ONE) |
|
Ivermectin or Moxidectin (with Praziquantel)
-Quest Plus
-Zimecterin Gold -Combocare Gel -Equimax
|
(CHOOSE ONE) |
Pyrantel Pamoate
-Strongid
-Rotectin P -Strongyle- Care
|
(CHOOSE ONE) |
| Treatment: |
-General Parasite Control
- All stages of encysted Small Strongyles
|
|
-General Parasite Control
-Bots |
|
-General Parasite Control |
-General Parasite Control |
-General Parasite Control
-Bots & Tapeworms |
|
-General Parasite Control |
Created by: www.getrotationright.com and revised for publication by Lindsey Fielder
|
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