No Products in the Cart
Written by: Jessica Konopinski
Published on: 07/06/2023
With horse ownership comes maintenance and with maintenance comes parasite management. Dealing with internal parasites can be intimidating and at times, confusing to say the least. There's a lot of different factors that should be considered when creating a parasite management plan for your horse including age, environment and past parasite management protocols. Since a lot of parasite management factors will depend on your exact location it’s best to consult with a veterinarian. However, we’re here to help you determine the best approach to developing a sustainable and efficient parasite management plan for your horse. So what do you think is best: deworming, fecal analysis or both?
Let’s talk about deworming, otherwise known as the most common method of controlling internal parasites in our equine friends. First off, the objective of parasite management is to minimize the overall population of parasites in the horse's body without completely eliminating them. [1] This will allow the horse to not become infected while still encouraging the horse's immune system to work efficiently. Deworming is one method of parasite management which you can purchase and administer orally to your horse. Depending on their age, environment and the amount of horses they are exposed to will be a determining factor in what type of dewormer to purchase and how often you should deworm your horse.
Another important component when it comes to deworming is knowing that certain horses shed different amounts of parasite eggs. Even if horses are turned out in a herd together there will be a portion of horses that are high shedders. This means that a portion of the horses in the herd are more responsible for infecting the rest of the herd if internal parasites are present.
When done strategically deworming can be successful on its own. [2]
While most horses are dewormed every 8-12 weeks, it’s important not to overuse the same types of dewormers as parasites can become resistant to the medication and can also create some serious problems such as colic. [1] That's why it is highly recommended to work with your local veterinarian to determine which parasites are most common in your area and create a schedule, cycling between different products that target each specific parasite to avoid resistance.
A fecal analysis, or the second method of parasite management is simply a microscopic examination for parasite eggs. [1] This is examined through horse manure that the owner or veterinarian will collect in a plastic bag up to one to two times per year, or depending on your veterinarian's suggestion. By doing a fecal egg count test your veterinarian will be able to determine the amount of parasite eggs present, determining if that horse is a high shedder. From there, they will also be able to measure the parasite levels within a group. An important thing to remember when it comes to completing a fecal analysis is that not all parasites can be found in feces so the test is not complete. [1]
This test can be completed prior to deworming to help you determine which dewormers to purchase based on your horses level or if used post deworming, this can prove whether or not the medication was successful or not. Each horse is unique and subject to their own individual needs. Consulting with your veterinarian to choose what the best option is for you and your horse is key in creating a sustainable parasite management plan.
When it comes to parasite management, it’s important to consider non-chemical maintenance as well. In order to keep internal parasites at bay, maintaining clean stalls and pastures by picking them frequently, rotating pastures and dragging pastures will all aid in the process. If you’re still confused on whether to choose to deworm your horse or complete a fecal analysis remember that both can be used together (and pretty efficiently).
Since internal parasites can be tricky, remember that your plan can always change. By working with your veterinarian to come up with a consistent schedule and utilizing both deworming and fecal testing, you will be able to determine what works best for your horse and cover all your bases to ensure your horse is safe and healthy.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
Jessica is a brand consultant who brings awareness and intention to equestrian and pet platforms. As a former collegiate equestrian athlete and animal lover, Jessica leads with passion and experience through her writing and brand work for companies who advocate for creating a difference in their space. When she's not riding her horse or walking her dog (with iced coffee in hand), you can find her sharing her love for health and wellness with others and integrating these practices in her everyday work.
