Worming less is not detrimental to horse health, finds study
New research has found that reducing how often a horse is wormed (de-worming) does not have any adverse health risks to horses.
The study, carried out by Dr Martin Nielsen, involved 99 mares and 93 foals at four stud farms in New Zealand and evaluated the worm egg count levels, bodyweight and overall health in the equines under different parasite control protocols.
Protocols included traditional approaches with frequent worming and drug rotation, and the currently recommended practices of less worming and more worm egg counts.
“Internal parasites, predominantly strongyles and ascarids, are omnipresent at equine yards,” said Dr Nielsen. “But a persistent growing resistance to the anthelmintics we have available is challenging us to find more sustainable and yet effective parasite control programmes.”
Vet David Rendle, chair of BEVA’S Health and Medicines Committee, said: “This study provides further evidence to show that there is no justification for the traditional approach of calendar-based routine treatment and gives further reassurance that the frequency of treatment can be reduced without detriment to equine health or development of youngstock.”
He added that he hopes horse owners who have not already done so will swap their “old fashioned” worming habits of regular worming for a more strategic approach.
“In so doing we can help avert the potential equine welfare crisis that all are agreed will inevitably ensue if the equine industry continues with the indiscriminate use of anthelmintics,” said David.
“I would urge anyone who has not discussed worming with their vets recently to do so before the spring.”
Good management, including regular poo-picking and not overgrazing fields, is also important for worm control.