Although most barns have their own system or schedule for deworming their horses, there are a few things you should consider when deciding what is best for your horse. In my experience, there are two main ways this is done:
a. deworm based on fecal samples
b. deworm every X weeks
My method of choice is a- and here is why:
The horse industry struggles with parasite issues predominately because of parasite resistance. What this means is that horse owners will use a particular brand of dewormer to the point that it no longer works- the parasites adapt so that the dewormer no longer kills them (similar principle in humans with antibiotics and bacterial resistance; this is why we do not give people antibiotics every single time someone is sick- we make sure they actually have a bacterial infection first). This raises a few concerns, most importantly, how do I know if my dewormer is even working?
Well, you don't -unless you have a test done, or your horse becomes ill enough to show signs of parasite infestation.
Most every vet clinic will offer some sort of parasite prevention program. With my vet, you pay upfront for three fecal tests to be done during the year (sometimes more tests are needed if your horse is a high shedder). Once the test results are in, the vet will suggest a course of action: what type of dewormer to use (based on shed count and the species of the parasite), and how much your horse needs. This way, you are only treating horses that need to be treated.
The most common parasites in horses are called strongyles.
What do the shed counts mean?
The test is looking for the parasite egg count. Low shedders refer to horses with a low egg count, meaning that their immune system is able to keep the number of parasites down. High shedders refer to horses with a high egg count because of an inability to naturally keep these parasites in check. Although it is estimated that only about 30% of the horse population is classified as high shedders, they will produce 80% of the parasite eggs in the pasture! This is why it is EXTREMELY important that all boarders participate in some kind of deworming schedule or program: if one horse is not being dewormed, it can very well contaminate the field and expose the other horses to high levels of parasites.
Is there a way to get rid of the parasites in the field?
The goal of deworming is not to get rid of all parasites (that would be impossible!), but to keep the number to a manageable level. That being said, if you have multiple horses in a field that are having issues, veterinarians will usually recommend more frequent doses for these horses. Some people advise harrowing the fields to break up the manure to keep parasite levels down. However, this method is a bit controversial, as it is not sure whether it really helps or not. A good rule of thumb is to keep the fields clean- remove manure periodically, do not spread manure over grazing fields, and practice good field management.
Isn't the deworming program kind-of a scam? I mean, why would I pay to see what is going on if I regularly deworm my horse?
Actually, some people SAVE money by using the program! For instance, last year on the program, Ruby was a 'low shedder' in all three of her tests. This means she did not need to be dewormed (I did do it once just to kill tapeworms which are not included in the egg count). If my sample program was $30 for the year, well, that is much less than the previous barn, where I was paying $11-$14 every 90 days for their deworming program. Plus, you need to consider the parasite resistance: what do you think happens when you give your horse a dewormer that, unbeknownst to you, is not effective? You are wasting your money and offending your horses gut...for nothing. You are also causing a serious issue for other boarders because your horse will continue to contaminate the field, exposing them to high counts of worms that should otherwise not be present.
The fecal sample program is fairly new, but please do not discount it's importance for the sake of 'tradition.' Also keep in mind that your decision in how to care for your horse is your sole responsibility, but when it effects others' horses, it is even more important to gain as much knowledge as you can in order to make an informed decision.
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