19/05/2025
Always fabulous advice! Don’t just worm for the sake of worming.
We had the first frost of the year this morning, down here in West Gippsland.
I'd like to take this event as a chance to remind you all that First Frost DOES NOT MEAN IT'S TIME TO DEWORM YOUR HORSE.
Now, I'm no meteorologist, but to me, first frost simply means that winter is either here, or very close to. And what does this mean for worms? Not much. You'll never find "first frost" prescribed in a parasitology manual.
I've written/shared many posts about worm management in autumn (I'll link one in the comments), and the short version is, you can deworm your horse when 1) you've had an egg count done on them and 2) the bot flies (if you had any) have disappeared for the year. Usually by this time of year (first frost) the bots should have gone, hence why people choose it as their time to deworm.
The frost itself will do nothing to the worm larvae on your pasture. Strongyle larvae are extremely resilient to harsh environmental conditions. It's takes an extended period of time (days, weeks) below 0 degrees for any die off to occur. The only place this likely occurs in Aust is the alpine region.
I'd actually like to propose to you all that you should be deworming BEFORE the first frost. I know we've had a horrible autumn without the usual rain, but in a "normal" year the weather tends to break around Easter, with the rain and damp pastures returning. Strongyle larvae like damp pastures, so deworming when the weather breaks means that worm egg shedding will be stopped for ~3 months and prevent larvae build up occurring during autumn.
Lastly, please stop asking me if you can deworm yet. I don't know - I don't live at your house therefore I am unable to tell you if the bots have finished: that's your call. Also, NO DEWORMING WITHOUT A FEC STOP ASKING ME IF YOU CAN OMG
Thanks, and try to stay warm tonight ❄️❄️❄️
