The internet is easy to use to learn about parasitic organisms that infect horses, how to detect them, and what options are available to eliminate the problem. You'll find horse wormers that use tested chemicals to kill internal parasites and natural, chemical-free preparations. Pasture-management methods are important, as well.
There's a long list of internal organisms that feed off horses, inflicting harm as they do so. Some are more common than others. The list includes ascarids (roundworms), pinworms, hairworms, threadworms, tapeworms, large and small strongyles, large-mouth stomach worms, lungworms, and bots. A fecal and/or blood test can determine which parasites are in an animal.
A horse with a heavy infestation of parasites will not thrive. Physical signs include rough coat, lethargy, scratching the tail, loss of weight or failure to gain weight, bouts of colic, and diarrhea. However, periodic checks should be done to make sure even horses of normal appearance are not infected. Younger animals are especially at risk.
It's a good idea to know which parasites are a threat to your horses and how best to approach the problem. The time of year can be significant; for example, bot flies are only around to lay their eggs in summer. Climate can matter, as well as the state of your pasture. Overgrazing can cause a greater reinfection problem, for example.
Most owners use chemical products for worming that target parasites that are common to the area or that have been found in tests. Some broad-spectrum wormers like Ivermectin get many species. You can check the labels to see which parasites each product addresses, or you can let your veterinarian decide what you should use.
Rotating pastures helps control parasitic invasions. When a field 'rests' for six months or more, eggs and larvae will die off. Many people run cows for half the year, followed by horses. Mowing and dragging pasture to expose larvae to birds and other predators helps also. Picking up droppings on a weekly basis is the best mechanical way to keep pastures clean.
Natural products include diatomaeceous earth, a powder made of fossilized plankton which abrades worms inside the digestive tract without side effects. There are also herbal formulas and homepathic remedies. Products of both chemical and alternative formulation come in liquids, powders, pellets, and pastes.
Worming on a regular schedule is important for maintaining health and vitality. Even if one test shows no worms in the animal, six months later it can be a different story. Some owners give a wormer twice a year, while others do so every two months. There are also daily preventatives that are added to the feed.
It's important to know why, when, and how to worm animals. Parasites are the most common problem for horses, but they are also easy to control with proper procedures and effective products.
There's a long list of internal organisms that feed off horses, inflicting harm as they do so. Some are more common than others. The list includes ascarids (roundworms), pinworms, hairworms, threadworms, tapeworms, large and small strongyles, large-mouth stomach worms, lungworms, and bots. A fecal and/or blood test can determine which parasites are in an animal.
A horse with a heavy infestation of parasites will not thrive. Physical signs include rough coat, lethargy, scratching the tail, loss of weight or failure to gain weight, bouts of colic, and diarrhea. However, periodic checks should be done to make sure even horses of normal appearance are not infected. Younger animals are especially at risk.
It's a good idea to know which parasites are a threat to your horses and how best to approach the problem. The time of year can be significant; for example, bot flies are only around to lay their eggs in summer. Climate can matter, as well as the state of your pasture. Overgrazing can cause a greater reinfection problem, for example.
Most owners use chemical products for worming that target parasites that are common to the area or that have been found in tests. Some broad-spectrum wormers like Ivermectin get many species. You can check the labels to see which parasites each product addresses, or you can let your veterinarian decide what you should use.
Rotating pastures helps control parasitic invasions. When a field 'rests' for six months or more, eggs and larvae will die off. Many people run cows for half the year, followed by horses. Mowing and dragging pasture to expose larvae to birds and other predators helps also. Picking up droppings on a weekly basis is the best mechanical way to keep pastures clean.
Natural products include diatomaeceous earth, a powder made of fossilized plankton which abrades worms inside the digestive tract without side effects. There are also herbal formulas and homepathic remedies. Products of both chemical and alternative formulation come in liquids, powders, pellets, and pastes.
Worming on a regular schedule is important for maintaining health and vitality. Even if one test shows no worms in the animal, six months later it can be a different story. Some owners give a wormer twice a year, while others do so every two months. There are also daily preventatives that are added to the feed.
It's important to know why, when, and how to worm animals. Parasites are the most common problem for horses, but they are also easy to control with proper procedures and effective products.
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