Tips On Using Horse Wormers

By Angela Briggs


Horses are a grazing animal that eat most of their food from the ground. In the wild they are moving around all the time. This natural movement prevents them from eating close to their droppings. However, when horses are domesticated they are often kept in small pastures or stalls. They are in close contact with other equines and are constantly infected with worms. Every animals needs to be treated with a variety of horse wormers on a regular basis.

Keeping the animals on a careful worming program is essential. Horses that are carrying a significant parasite burden will always seem lethargic. Their coat will be dull and they will be prone to other health problems. This is because the worms are taking all their nutrition and interfering with the ability to digest their food. Eventually if left unchecked the worms can actually cause lasting damage to the horses intestines.

Although it is impossible to eliminate worms from the horses life altogether it is possible to minimize their risk and infection rates. Good stable management practices are essential. This includes keeping the stalls, feed pans and water buckets clean at all times. All turn out areas and paddocks must be cleaned on a daily basis too. The horses are infected when they graze close to the feces of their stablemates.

In order to find out exactly which worms are the problem a sample of the animals feces should be sent to the veterinarian. This can be examined to determine the extent of the problem. Horses that have been neglected typically carry a significant worm burden. It is important to treat this slowly and under veterinary supervision. Giving the animal a huge dose of worm medication will kill the parasites, but as they expelled through the digestive system they will often cause severe colic.

In recent years modern science has really been able to help. A host of worm treatments has been developed that are both safe and effective. A number of active chemicals is necessary to treat each different type of worm. The ingredients to look for are ivermectin, bimectin, fenbendozole, pyrantel and moxidectin. These chemicals are used in many different worming products and buyers should educate themselves about the different brand names.

There are a host of different chemicals that treat the many varieties of worms that live in a horses digestive system. It is very important for owners to educate themselves about the different products. There are five or six main ingredients that are sold under a host of brand names. Each product treats a different worm. Some products such as fenbendozole should be used in the fall and spring. Other products are best used during the summer.

An owner who needs help or advice about setting up a worming program for their animals should talk with their local veterinarian. They will be able to offer all the help and advice needed. The products can be purchased from a local veterinary office, a feed store or from an on line store or catalogue.

Horses are very beautiful animals, but they do require a lot of care and maintenance. Owners should know that regular treatment with good quality horse wormers is one of the most important aspects of their management program.




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