YOUNG HORSE WORM CONTROL

 Current Recommendations for Young Horses: Young horses develop immunity to parasites over time and some exposure to parasites is useful to help promote this immunity. However, given their susceptibility to parasite related disease, the level of exposure must be carefully monitored and younger animals will also excrete high numbers of eggs onto the pasture. 

Ascarids are the most important parasites in foals. As a result of widespread resistance of ascarids to macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin and moxidectin), worming foals with a benzimidazole such as oxfendazole is recommended. Other compounds such as a tetrahydropyrimidine, for example pyrantel or morantel, may also be effective. 

Young horses may be more susceptible to larval cyathostominosis, with reported cases involving horses aged 1-3 years old. Any young stock thought to be at risk, should receive moxidectin at least once per year to minimise the risk of disease. 

The following guidelines are recommended for foals and young horses : 

• 2-3 months old : First worming with Strategy T. 

• 4-6 months old : Second worming with Equimax Elevation. 

• From weaning : Conduct FEC every 3 months to facilitate treatment choice. 

• Yearlings : Administer an allwormer, for example Equimax Elevation or Strategy-T, once or twice a year based on FEC. If encysted cyathostomes are a concern, then moxidectin should be used instead.