If you notice your horse showing signs of pain or discomfort, you should check for worms. These internal parasites can cause colic, diarrhea, weight loss, ulcers, mouth sores, and a swollen abdomen. Fortunately, there are several treatments to solve the problem. If you suspect that worms are the cause of your discomfort, contact your vet to find the correct treatment for your equine friend.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Deworm the Horse
Step 1. Determine if this procedure is required
Since it all depends on the condition that afflicts the horse, you will need to take a stool sample and take it to the vet to have it analyzed. The doctor will perform a coprological examination to count the parasite eggs and determine if the animal is actually infested with worms and what type it is. In doing so, the vet will be able to find the most suitable treatment to free the horse from this specific type of parasites and will be able to indicate how often to subject it to the treatment.
For example, if it is a severe infestation, it may be necessary to deworm the horse every month, but if the number of worms is low, it may be enough every 4 months or even just twice a year
Step 2. Talk to your vet about parasite resistance to treatment
If you deworm your horse when it is not necessary, the parasites may become resistant to the cure. For this reason, your doctor will advise you to change your medications (using 4-6 different types) before restarting with the first product you used for the initial treatment. Some horses can develop natural resistance to worms and do not need deworming in this case. For this reason it is important to perform stool analysis.
If the animal has a severe infestation, a daily deworming medication may help to prevent a much more serious situation from developing between treatments. These daily medicines, however, should not be considered as a complete solution to eliminate parasites, as they are only effective with certain types of worms. For all these reasons, they should only be taken for "maintenance" purposes after a "shock" treatment
Step 3. Evaluate Medicines
Your vet will discuss the different deworming medications with you. These include fenbendazole, ivermectin, moxidectin, pyrantel and praziquantel. Since each drug works slightly differently, your vet will be able to tell you which one is most effective for your particular pet. The following are the drug classes that are considered:
- Benzimidazoles (such as fenbendazole), unlike other types of drugs, can kill nematode eggs and are available in granules, pulp and suspension. These medicines usually need to be taken for several consecutive days.
- Macrocyclic lactones (such as ivermectin and moxidectin) are some of the most effective drugs and can also kill external parasites, such as lice and mites. They need to be taken for 3 to 4 days before they start to become effective.
- Isoquinoline and pyrazine (such as praziquantel) are effective only against roundworms and not against tapeworms. For this reason, they are only taken with macrocyclic lactones.
Step 4. Give the horse the correct dose of medication
You must know the weight of the animal in order to dose the medicine in the right proportions and according to the instructions of the veterinarian. If the drug is insufficient, the treatment may be ineffective and at the same time promote the resistance of the worms. Most medications against these parasites are very safe, so it is better to overestimate the dose rather than to err on the side, especially if your pet doesn't like the taste of the wormer and tends to spit it out. Consider giving him more to compensate for the medicine he will spit out.
- Be aware that many oral deworming syringes contain enough active ingredient for a 600kg horse. If your pet is older, you may need two syringes. Some veterinarians suggest adding an amount of medicine necessary for 125 kg of weight (equal to one notch on the syringe) to the prescribed dose, regardless of the size of the horse.
- To find out your pet's weight, buy a specific tape measure from the wholesaler you buy pet food from or from the horse-riding store. Measure the thoracic circumference of the equine and find the corresponding value on the specific table to estimate its weight.
Part 2 of 3: Deworm the Horse with an Oral Syringe
Step 1. Prepare the horse and the medication
The animal's mouth should be empty, with no blades of grass or straw, otherwise it would be very easy for him to spit out the drug in the form of a paste. The horse should wear the halter so that you have something to grab while administering the wormer. Make sure the syringe is ready by removing the cap and setting the dosing ring to the correct notch, which you can see on the syringe barrel.
Be sure to give your pet food and water before giving the medicine, as the taste of the medicine may make it unappetizing or cause it not to drink for a few hours. This detail is essential if the horse had exercised and was much hotter and more thirsty than usual
Step 2. Insert the syringe into the pet's mouth
Make the tip point towards the tongue by lifting his lips and tilting the tool towards the back of the mouth. The best place to insert the syringe is the gap between the incisors and canines at the front of the mouth or the gap between the molars at the back. Check that you are able to grip the plunger so that you can press it smoothly.
Don't worry too much about positioning the syringe tip correctly. As long as it is inside the horse's mouth, there is a high chance that the drug will cover the tongue, teeth or cheek mucous membranes and then be swallowed
Step 3. Administer the drug
Press the plunger to push the dewormer out of the tool into the pet's mouth. Try to act quickly so as not to scare your four-legged friend. When all the medicine has been given, keep the horse's head raised for a few seconds; in this way you prevent him from spitting.
If your pet spits dewormer regularly, then try offering it to him by mixing small amounts with his food
Part 3 of 3: Deworm the Horse with a Medicine Pellet
Step 1. Purchase a pellet deworming drug
This type of drug is generally mixed with animal fodder and cereals. Ask your vet to prescribe a particular type of medicine and also recommend the right dosage. You can usually also read the dosage on the product packaging, based on the weight of the animal.
Schedule treatment as recommended by your vet. You will need to offer the horse the right amount of pellets for as long as necessary
Step 2. Measure the amount of medication
Use the measuring cup included in the package to give the right dose of medicine to your equine friend. Mix it with fodder or cereals. In this way, he prepares only "one meal" for the horse and not all the food he will receive in a day. Avoid mixing pellets with other delights other than grains.
If you mix the drug with cereals, you can be sure that the horse will eat the full dose of deworming. If, on the other hand, you mix it with other foods or pelleted fodder, you allow it to "choose" the food and leave out the medicine
Step 3. Feed the pet
Offer him the cereal mixed with the dewormer. Make sure she's done with the full ration so you can be sure she's taken the full dose. If the horse refuses to eat, add some liquid molasses to the meal to encourage it.
If you have decided to give him hay, make sure he has consumed his entire ration of cereal and deworming first
Advice
- While not as common as oral syringes and pellets, worm vaccines are also available. Only the veterinarian or an experienced horse breeder should administer this type of drug, injecting it into the proper site.
- Be prepared for "violent reactions and tugs"; some horses react this way when they perceive unfamiliar movement or material near their head. A very violent pull could cause damage to the equipment or an injury to the animal, especially if it is tied up.
