When should I deworm my horse?

Deworming must be done strategically and when necessary. It is important to have a controlled deworming program adapted to the prevailing horse population. Here you can read about, when and how to deworm your horse.

Intestinal parasites occur in all horses to some extent. In the adult healthy horse, they rarely cause damage, as long as the parasite pressure does not become too high - with the exception of the larvae of the large bloodworm, which can cause serious damage to the blood vessels of the intestine.

Before the pasture and when moving

During the spring or before summer grazing, a faecal test should be done to see if the horse needs to be dewormed. When moving your horse to a new stable, it is also recommended to deworm. Feel free to discuss your horse's future deworming strategy with your veterinarian.

Plan grazing by separating summer and winter pastures or preferably alternating grazing with other animal species such as cows and sheep, but the most effective way to reduce parasite pressure is mucking and well-thought-out deworming routines.

When should you take a faecal sample?

Get an idea of the parasite occurrence in the herd by taking faeces samples, having the sample analysed for egg occurrence and cultivation of large bloodworms in the spring, roughly around April-May before the horses are released to pasture. Consult with your vet about how and when the horses should be dewormed to prevent infection from building up in pastures.

Common intestinal parasites in horses

Horses always have intestinal parasites, but a small amount does not normally interfere with the health of the animal. Over time, the horse acquires a certain immunity to the parasites and their harmful effects. Therefore, foals and young horses can suffer more serious injuries than adult animals. Even old horses or individuals with weakened immune systems can be more sensitive. Some intestinal parasites are more pathogenic and cause more damage than others.

How to deworm the horse

Dose the paste according to The horse's weight, and round up, when you are going to give your horse de-wormer.
Check that the horse's mouth is free of feed.
Insert the tip of the dosing syringe into the space between the front and back teeth.
Squeeze the paste out as far back as possible on the horse's tongue.
After you have given the de-wormer, hold the horse's head up for a few seconds to make sure it swallows the dose.