FAQs about horse deworming
1. How do horses get worms?
Horses often get worms when came out pasture with other horses that have or had parasites. Additionally, contaminated fields are ideal places for them to get in touch with parasites.
Or the pasture, itself, is a breeding ground for larvae and egg contamination and the worms through manure. And when your horse eats grass here, he will get infected with parasites.
That’s why you need to check for the appearance of parasites frequently before a full infestation might come.
2. How to know whether horses have worms?
The fact is that it is not easy to check whether there might be something happening on your horses’ health. Although they could appear to be in good shape, they might get an invasion of parasites unexpectedly.
Here are some common symptoms that you should pay attention such as:
- Weight loss
- Loss of condition
- Lack of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Dull coat
- Colic
- Lethargy
But the best way to examine if your horses have worms is to have the veterinarian do a fecal egg count and blood test.
These standard ways help to determine whether there are parasites as well as adult worms living in your equines’ intestine. They also allow you to know how bad the pasture where your horses graze include active infestations.
3. Which key parasites should you notice at particular times of the year?
Worms can seriously influence the health of any horses.
Do you know you should target the particular parasites at certain times of the year?
Let’s show a general worming plan below!
Autumn (from September to October)
You need to perform a saliva test to check for tapeworm. If your horses get a positive result, you need to eliminate tapeworm with a wormer including Praziquantel or an increased dose of Pyrantel.
Winter (from November to February)
This time is ideal for getting rid of encysted larval stages of redworm and botfly larvae by using a Moxidectin product. Or you can use an increased dose of Fenbendazole, but REMEMBER that it doesn’t work well on botfly larvae.
Spring (from March to April)
You need to test again for the appearance of tapeworm. If it happens, continue using a wormer product including Praziquantel or an increased dose of Pyrantel.
During this time, you should target roundworm as well.
So, a combination of wormer will be nice.
Summer (from May to August)
You have to perform FEC (Fecal Egg Count) and worm. If anything occurs, please apply Pyrantel or Fenbendazole.
A step-by-step deworming technique for your horses
Deworming is a routine and worry-free practice that often takes place several times per year.
But some claim that it is hard to deworm their horses. If so, they might have had a bad experience, or they don’t like the taste the horse wormer.
What should you do?
First of all, you should avoid doing some wrong actions.
For example, never sneak up to the horses and jam the wormer product in their mouth. Or tighten the halter and jam it because you will make them defensive.
Besides, avoid approaching them and stick the syringe like a predator. Then they might stick it back in your face.
Hence, a horse that is good for deworming needs to stand still with his head down, body laid-back and willingly accept the product.
It is because he recognizes that you are not trying to hurt him. And this makes him feel more comfortable with deworming.
And now, down here to learn a step-by-step technique to deworm your horses!
Step 1
The first and foremost thing is to desensitize the air space surrounding the horse’s head.
Start standing on his left side and wave an empty syringe back and forth over his head. Make sure to muzzle him and keep it 8 inches away.
If he starts keeping his head still, stop waving, then retreat and rub his head with the other hand. After that, repeat this step until his head is still for the whole time you are moving the syringe.
In case the horse feels relaxed, you can continue the next step.
Or stop it.
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Step 2
Rub an empty deworming syringe all over the horse body, starting from his withers and then neck and jaw.
If he moves away from you or throws his head, rub until he relaxes. After that, you need to retreat.
Next, continue applying the approach-and-retreat method on his face and around his muzzle. When he feels comfortable, retreat the syringe and rub his head with your hand.
Step 3
Coat the syringe with something sweet such as sugar, honey or molasses. This makes the horse accept it in his mouth with ease.
You need to stand on his left side and ease the syringe into the corner of his mouth. If he throws his head when it is inside his mouth, raise your arms. Or if he steps backward, you have to move back with him.
When the horse stands still and feels comfortable by lowering his head, you should remove the syringe and rub his face.
Repeat this step until he stands still all the time.
Step 4
Fill the empty syringe with the honey, wave and rub it around the horse’s nose to make sure that he is desensitized to it. After that, put it in his mouth and slowly let him lick the honey.
This makes him think that whatever in the syringe tastes good. And remember to repeat this step several days.
Step 5
If the horse accepts the syringe in his mouth, you now deworm him with the real product.
Don’t forget to put a sweet coating outside the syringe before placing in the corner of his mouth and empty it. Wait for him to digest and follow up with the honey.
Make sure to leave him with a definite taste in the mouth, or the last thing in his mind is a foul taste only.
Step 6
Continue giving the honey in the next three or four days. This reminds him deworming isn’t a bad experience.
And always desensitize him by waving and rubbing the syringe surrounding his nose before putting the honey in his mouth.
Step 7
For the next scheduled deworming, you should deworm the horse with honey once a day within four days. Then repeat the steps above to offer him a positive experience.
Wrapping up
Preventing your beloved four-legged friends from parasites is essential for their good health. And performing regular deworming with the best horse wormer is an excellent way to keep them in great condition.
If you need a single dose wormer to suit all your kinds of horses and work great after applying, the Ivermectin Paste Dewormer from Durvet is ideal.
With the appearance of active ingredients, all the worms and bots will be eliminated well. More importantly, the pleasant taste makes your horse acceptable with ease.
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