Horse Worming Guide

Author: Alicia   Date Posted:19 July 2023 

We've Created A Guid To Help You Worm Your Horse

Worms are a cause of disease in horses that can cause; colic, diarrhoea, weight loss and in some circumstances it can be fatal. Worming is something we all should be doing as horse owners but knowing how often and why is sometimes not as well known. 

What Is Rotational Worming

Rotational Worming is the process of changing your horses worming product periodically between different classes of worming drugs (benzimidazoles and macrocyclic lactones). This ensures your horse is protected against all the worms of concern whilst reducing the risk of your horse developing a resistance to that particular class of drug.

What are some extra measures you can take to protect your horse?

Your horses can be prone to worm infestations at anytime. Here are some extra measures that you can take to prevent your horse from being contaminated. Feeding your horse in a bucket/ net and reducing on ground feeding can effectively reduce the risk of worm infestations, it can also reduce their dirt & sand intake (reducing the risk of colic). Appropriate pasture management is also crucial. Spelling paddocks during the hotter/ dryer conditions eliminates the growth of numbers of larvae. To ensure that all of your horses are protected from worms it is essential that all horses on the property/ close vacinity are wormed at the same time. 

How often do I worm my horse?

When considering a worming schedule for your horse, it is important to note that there is no one size fits all. The frequency, timing and type of wormer will depend on a range of factors, including location, number of horses, age and individual susceptibility to parasites.
While we always recommend consulting with your vet, a general recommendation is to worm your horse regularly with an effective, broad spectrum wormer to prevent any build up of worms in the stomach or intestines. Most worming paste requires dosage every 8-16 weeks, but always follow instructions on the label. Where there are a large number of horses kept close together, there will be a greater need for worm control as horses are at greatest risk of contamination.
A great tip is to worm when parasites are at their most ineffective state. Parasite larvae and eggs struggle to survive in the extream heat/ colder weather.

Types of worms:

Large Strongyles

• Red worms, often referred to as blood worms, are extremely uncommon. They go from the digestive tract to the intestinal arteries in the liver, causing colic or fatal haemorrhaging.

Small Strongyles

• Often referred to as cyathostomes are a very small worm that are extreamly common. They are ingested through eating and they exist in the walls of the intestine causing potentially fatal colic particuarly if the larvae erupt from the gut wall. 

Large Roundworms

• They are a lengthy worm that is usually detected in foals and can cause lung damage and digestive obstructions. After being consumed with food, they travel to the stomach wall and liver, then to the heart and lungs, where they are coughed up and swallowed before returning to the small intestine.

Tapeworms

• Horse tapeworms are a common cause of colic and diarrhoea in horses of all ages. These tapeworms are consumed by the horse and migrate into the intestines, potentially causing colic. These worms are passed through their faeces, which may be seen with the naked eye.

Pinworms

• These worms are not as dangerous as our other worms. They often induce ichyness and discomfort beneath the tail. Horses with these symptoms often rub their tails against trees and fencing in the pasture.

Bots

• During the warmer months, bot flies release their eggs on your horse's legs and face. These little yellow sticky eggs develop into larvae that cause ulcers in the horses mouth. They then move through your horse's stomach and faeces before emerging as adult flies. This can result in colic, weight loss, mouth ulcers, and a negative attitude.

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