Most horse owners know that deworming will help with parasite control, but that is the extent of their knowledge. It is difficult to comprehend just how prevalent bots and worms are in horses, as well as the devastation they can wreak on a horse's digestive tract.
Know the Source
Bots and worms can be found in many places on a horse farm, which means that parasite control must extend beyond mere deworming efforts. Manure, fields, water buckets and compost piles are all sources of parasites, and it doesn't take much to infect a horse.
Knowing this, parasite control means reducing the potential sources of bots and worms. Water buckets should be cleaned on a daily basis, pastures should be rotated, compost heaps should be turned to generate heat, and there should never be more than one horse occupying a single acre of pasture land.
Review Deworming Products
Parasite control is not the same regardless of which deworming product used. In fact, the products on the market vary widely, and some are far less effective than others. For example, some dewormers only guard against a few parasites, while others will target all known parasites for broader control. When shopping products, look for the phrase "broad-spectrum" on the package.
It is also possible for bots and worms to develop immunity to certain dewormers. This is why many horse owners have switched to a daily dewormer that is more effective or are rotating dewormers every couple of months.
Prepare a Place for Manure
Horse owners who use their grazing pastures to spread manure are creating a breeding ground for bots and worms. There should be a separate place for spreading manure, well away from where horses graze, to keep parasite control effective.
Similarly, stalls should be cleaned regularly for parasite control. Bots and worms can develop quickly if manure is allowed to stand, and a horse that stays inside all day should have his stall cleaned at least twice in every 24-hour period.
Consider Age
Young foals and older horses are the most susceptible to bots and worms, and the devastation is more complete. Therefore, parasite control should be far more aggressive in young and older horses, but deworming medication must be approved for those age groups. Roundworms, strongyles and threadworms are most dangerous, and there are foal-safe products for these parasites.
Watch for Symptoms
Even after increasing parasite control at a farm or stable, bots and worms can find their way into a horse's digestive tract. If a horse suddenly stops eating his food or loses weight suddenly despite eating a healthy diet, parasites might be the cause.
Other symptoms include lusterless coat, stunted growth, recurrent colic and muscle weakness. If a horse exhibits these symptoms, a visit to the veterinarian is advised.
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