Saturday, November 30, 2013

Learning How To Use Horse Wormers

By Angela Briggs


Horses are a grazing animal that eat most of their food from the ground. In the wild they are moving around all the time. This natural movement prevents them from eating close to their droppings. However, when horses are domesticated they are often kept in small pastures or stalls. They are in close contact with other equines and are constantly infected with worms. Every animals needs to be treated with a variety of horse wormers on a regular basis.

It is inevitable that horses will be infected with a variety of worms at any given time. The worm burden they carry will vary depending on the conditions in which they are kept. Horses who live in large barns with many other animals are at the most risk. They often have to share small pastures with their stable mates and are always in contact with the manure left behind by many animals. When grazing close to manure they are always at risk of ingesting worm larvae and eggs.

Once the worm eggs reach adulthood they are passed out with the droppings. Any horse eating close to this manure is at risk of infection. Obviously in close quarters such as small paddocks that are shared by many animals there is constant infestation. This can be best dealt with by a strict worming program that treats every animal in the barn. Any new horses should be quarantined and treated for at least a month before being allowed to mingle with the other horses.

In the wild horses instinctively know not to eat close to dung. But once they are kept in barns they are forced to eat in contaminated paddocks that are often over used and lack enough grass. In these cases a very stringent worming program is vital. Horses should be treated with a different product every six to eight weeks.

Most worming products are in a paste form. They are sold in a syringe that is squirted into the horses mouth or can be mixed into their food. Most horses are quite happy to eat the medicine, especially those that are apple flavored. The owner or barn manager should keep a calender to record which day the animals were treated and with what form of worm medicine.

There are a host of different chemicals that treat the many varieties of worms that live in a horses digestive system. It is very important for owners to educate themselves about the different products. There are five or six main ingredients that are sold under a host of brand names. Each product treats a different worm. Some products such as fenbendozole should be used in the fall and spring. Other products are best used during the summer.

An owner who needs help or advice about setting up a worming program for their animals should talk with their local veterinarian. They will be able to offer all the help and advice needed. The products can be purchased from a local veterinary office, a feed store or from an on line store or catalogue.

One of the best ways to stay on top of this problem is to purchase a rotation pack of horse wormers. These are very well priced and can usually be bought on line and shipped right away. A years supply of worm medication is included along with instructions for application.




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