02/21/2022
With spring only one month away (!!), it’s not too early to start thinking about a deworming plan for your horses.
If deworming is something you’ve been doing the same way for as long as you can remember, this year we encourage you to break tradition and work with your veterinarian instead to create a targeted plan for each horse. Before you dismiss this notion because you’ve “been doing it for years,” you should know that the old-school approach to deworming is quickly becoming outdated and is also not sustainable — it’s a waste of money AND it builds drug resistance in the parasitic fauna of equines, which means we are running out of drugs that can effectively help us control parasite infections.
There is no single deworming program that suits all horses and all situations. Your veterinarian can help you devise an appropriate strategy based on the number/ages of the horses on the farm, pasture management and your geographic location.
One of the most useful tools in a parasite control program is the f***l egg count — microscopic examination of fresh manure for parasite eggs. This simple test allows your veterinarian to determine which parasites are present and whether the infection is light, moderate, or heavy. This information is important in choosing the right treatment for your horse and in monitoring the efficacy of the dewormer used last.
Finally, don't rely on dewormers alone when it comes to parasite control. As parasites are primarily transferred through manure, good pasture maintenance and management are also necessary.
For more information, the AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines can be found on our website at https://aaep.org/document/internal-parasite-control-guidelines
As always, consult your equine veterinarian to learn more and for questions specific to your horse(s).
