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WORMING for horses Some 30 years ago, the only "worming" was done by the vet with a tube and oil. It was a hazadous and brutle process. I remember trying to hold this 17HH TB while the vet stuffed a tube up his nose. If you couldn't, then a sedation was used. Sometimes, there was blood from the nose and sometimes the worm would shoot out from the anal canal. The process took maybe 30 to 45 minutes and a hefty fee came with it. Today, any able body person can worm their equine in minutes. It's quick, easy and cheap. The main problem has now become...which type of wormer to use? And when to do the worming. Also, there are now worms resistant to some of the worming drugs. We were so enthusatic with our new found freedom that we over did it and have now maybe domed our equines to tube worming, again or even harsher worming drugs. Which type of wormer?? Ivermectin - Bimecterin, Zimecterin, no-name brand Pyrantel Pamoate-Strongid, Exodus Fenbendazole- Safeguard, Panacur Moxidectin - Quest Praziquantel - Zimecterin Gold, Equimax This is really depends on your horse and your location. If you are in a warm/hot climate year round, then one of the Ivermectrin/praziquantel or Moxidectin drugs will be needed. In cool/cold climates, then the Pyrantel Pamoate /Fenbendazole drugs will suffice. There, of course exceptions to every rule. It is best to consult your local vet or agricultural government agency. When to do the worming?? Every 6 weeks or 8 weeks or twice/year? This is a high controversial area. The main two determining factors are, number of horses and amount of pasture area. If you have a high number of horses in a small paddock area, then every 6 weeks. This also applies if you have horses coming and going from your barn. More contamination = More worms. If you have a large acreage with a small number horses then, every 8 weeks or more. This also applies if your horses never leave the property and no new horses are added to the herd. Some owners get the vet to test the manure for counts and use this number for a worming schedule. Your own situation should be discussed with your knowledgeable horse person or veterinary. For most of us, we rotate between the worming groups. Your local vet should be able to do a worm count and this should dictate your worming drug and timing. There are two types of rotation...slow rotation and fast rotation. The slow rotation of wormers is the use of one type/brand for the whole year. So you use Safeguard/Panacur for each and every worming. The Fast rotation is the use of multiple type of worming drugs from all the groups. So you would use, Safeguard then Zimecterin Gold, then Stongid, then Quest and so on. Ivermectin against skin rashes
From my own experience, I do a fast rotation, 4 times/year. I do an Ivermectin spring/fall before and after the frost and then Safeguard mid-summer and Strongid in Mid-winter. I personally would never use Quest. It requires exact weight. I have seen first hand the pain and angony a horse goes through after a dose. We have good control of worms with other worming drugs.
CHEERS to HAPPY HEALTHY HORSES!! |
Read the labels/instructions on all the worming drugs. Know which group of drugs they each fall into. Talk to knowledgeable horse person or your vet for infomation on types of worms in your local area. Always be diligent about manure pick-up and control. Limiting flys will limit worms.
In the end, Pick up manure, paste worm your equine, regularly and check your local area for worm infestations and types
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