A COMPLEMENT TO CHEMICAL DEWORMING

One crucial element of parasite control doesn’t come in a tube. How you manage your horses and your farm can have a significant impact on their parasite burden. Here are measures that make your herd less hospitable to worms.

• If possible, allow at least two acres of pasture per horse. This will give horses enough room to establish “toileting” areas, which they will naturally avoid when grazing.

• Periodically move the horses to another enclosure, which will allow parasite larvae to mature and die off naturally in the main pasture.

• Pick up manure in pasture spaces at least weekly and harrow to spread manure only during hot, dry periods.

• Compost manure before spreading on fields; the heat generated in the composting process kills off parasite

eggs.