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What is deworming?

We often talk about worming your horse. But what is deworming?

The deworming is the administration of a dewormer, medicated treatment which kills intestinal worms, to the horse. This product, prescribed by a veterinarian, prevents the animal from being contaminated by various parasites. In addition, it also limits their overgrowth in the environment. Deworming your horse is therefore very important. But how often? Against which parasites? Which deworming method should be used? We answer all these questions to make you a worming specialist.

Which parasites are treated by deworming?

There are three groups of parasites treated by deworming :

The roundworms or nematodes are worms that look like long threads with a cylindrical body. Among them, we can mention the small and large strongyles which live in the large intestine, and the pinworms. We can also mention the roundworms which are parasites of the small intestine and are particularly frequent in foals.
The flatworms or cestodes: These worms have a flattened body and are made up of segments. The tapeworms belong to this category of worms. These worms are particularly common in horses. In the long term, they can cause colic.

The gastropod larvae larvae: these are fly eggs ingested by the horse. They become larvae and settle in the horse's stomach. Then eliminated in the dungthey transform into flies. These then lay eggs in the horse's hair, which it will then ingest again.

How can I tell if my horse has worms?

The symptoms are different depending on the type of parasite. Here are some signs that can help you spot them:

The hair of your horse is dull and the hair comes off easily.
You notice a alteration of his general condition and a decrease in his performance.
You may notice a slimming (more or less important according to its degree of infestation).
Your horse gets scratch and it damages the top of his tail.
In the most severe cases, a worm infestation can cause colic or a intestinal perforation. It can even lead to a bowel obstruction which can be fatal.

Don't rely on what you see (or don't see)

In fact, just because parasites and eggs are not visible in your horse's excrement doesn't mean they aren't there. Sometimes, they're so small that it's impossible to see them to the naked eye.. If you have any doubts about your horse's potential infestation, call your veterinarian. He or she will confirm whether or not they are present and advise you on what to do next.

How often should I deworm my horse?

The average frequency of deworming is 2 to 4 times a year. It varies according to age and the living conditions of your horse. Horses at strict box can only be dewormed if they are 2 to 3 times a year. However, if your horse has access to a shared paddock with other horses, it is best to deworm your horse 3 or 4 times a year. The same applies if your horse lives in a meadow. For foals, it is advisable to deworm them every month until the age of 6 months. After that, you can deworm them more frequently.

Two periods are recommended for deworming horses. The first is around spring, when the horses will start to go outdoors. The second is at autumn, when the horses return to their stalls. Deworming should also be done during the grazing season. The dewormers are different depending on the parasites to be treated. It is recommended to treat the horse against roundworms at each worming session. The tapeworms are to be treated in summer and in autumn. The Gastrophilus larvae should be treated when the horse is returned to the stable.

What deworming methods exist?

There are two approaches to deworming your horse: the " systematic deworming" and the " reasoned deworming". Let's take a closer look at these two methods:

The systematic deworming: The classic method, it is mainly used for structures where the horses are numerous. The dewormer is administered at the same time and at the same intervalsregular. This means that horses receive deworming medication even if they are not infected with parasites. However, this method has a disadvantage. Treating horses regularly with the same substances makes the parasites more resistant. They therefore become more difficult to eliminate.

The reasoned deworming: This method starts with a test phase. Infested horses are identified by sampling and analysis of the horse's faeces. Only those more infested, horses that are responsible for the majority of the contamination, are treated. Tests are to be carried out every threemonths approximately. This method offers good results but has limitations. On the one hand, the excreta tested do not always contain a sufficient number of eggs for the animal to be identified as " highly infested". On the other hand, some parasites are not not detectable in the faeces.

How can I prevent my horse from being infected again?

To limit the risks of reinfestation, you must pay close attention to hygiene of your facilities. In particular, remember to regularly pick up the dung in your paddocks. Disinfect boxes and grooming areas. Always deworm the newly arrived horses in the group. After worming your horse, wait until you have 48h before you take your horse out to pasture again. This will prevent his excrement from contaminating the pasture again.

In summary, the deworming is very important to protect your horse from intestinal worms and limit the proliferation of parasites in the environment. It should be done regularly according to a protocol defined with your veterinarian. Choose with him the deworming method the most suitable for your horse. Make sure you maintain a good hygiene within your facilities to avoid reinfestation.

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Everything you need to know about deworming your horse