![]() ![]() Signs of infection in foals will vary depending on the stage of the worm life cycle and the number of worms present. The most important worm infecting foals is Parascaris equorum, the intestinal roundworm. The pre-patent period (time taken from ingestion to eggs being passed in faeces) is between 72 and 110 days, so the foal will have adult worms in the intestine from about three months and heavy infestations can quickly build up. Rather than review them all in depth, here I will focus on those that should be the main target of your worming program in young and mature horses.įoals are born with very little resistance to worms and so they are particularly vulnerable to infection. ![]() Horses are host to a large number of internal parasites, some more of a health risk than others. This article introduces a variety of information that can be used to create an individualised worm control program that aims to prevent heavy pasture contamination and, perhaps more importantly, slows down the development of drug-resistant worms. The approach of treating all horses at regular, and sometimes short, intervals leads us down a slippery slope towards the emergence of drug-resistant worms. The bad news is that worming practices of the past, which were developed under very different circumstances, are still being used today. The good news is that researchers have moved in leaps and bounds towards understanding the many factors that contribute to sustainable worm control. You and your neighbour may well require different worming strategies to best manage worms on your property. Unfortunately, there is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to worm control – not even on a regional basis. Most people would agree that worm control in horses can be confusing and is further complicated by a plethora of available worming products containing different ingredients and conflicting advice on how to best use them. This knowledge will empower you to do better and contribute to slowing down the slide towards resistance. ![]() This article provides all the basics on parasite biology and the drugs available for treatment. Postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Queensland, Dr Anne Beasley, explains the importance of sustainable worm control and why we must no longer rely on the old-school interval treatment regime. ![]()
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