Advice Centre

Worming

At this time of year many horse and pony owners – especially those with animals kept with large numbers of other horses, consider their worming plan for the year ahead. However if you are considering changing your chemical group it may be wise to wait until the grazing season. Happy Horse Sanctuary explains the train of thought behind tactical worming programmes and the benefits it brings.

Tactical Worming

There are many different trains of thought concerning worming however a tactical worming plan is considered one of the most effective and has been the worming plan of choice for Happy Horse Sanctuary.

Tactical worming treats for specific worms at specific times of the year. I.e. you;

Treat for Encysted Small Redworm Larvae during the winter months
Treat for Bots during the winter months
Treat for Tapeworm in Spring & Autumn
& Treat for Large and Small Redworm during the grazing period

You will need to ensure that when rotating your worming products you are choosing a different ingredient not just a different brand to develop an effective worming programme on an annual basis (not each time you worm your horse), incorporate tactical worming for specific parasites and rotating active ingredients during the grazing season (not at the beginning of the year).

The reason behind changing your selected group annually, to a different chemical is to ensure that your horse does not build up a resistance to wormer use. There has been evidence of a resistance building to products in the Benzimidazole group so it is best to take expert advice before relying on products within that group to control worm burden, ascertain that your horse is infected with worms that are susceptible to it by taking a dung sample and having an egg count done.

There are a number of distinct chemical groups to choose from:  

N.B Products based solely on Praziquantel have a role to play in tapeworm control but must be used in conjunction with products based on the three main chemical groups.

To summarise. Use your selected chemical group during a 12-18 month period with particular emphasis to rotation of active ingredients during the grazing season. Out side of the grazing season are the occasions when specific worming products should be used for tactical equine worming. Finally, bear in mind that although most of the leading brands of horse wormers are effective against adult redworms which ever chemical group you choose to use on an annual basis you will still need to dose tactically to control encysted small redworm, tapeworm and bots.

If you have any queries or are unsure on how best to worm your horse always consult your vet before treatment.

Equine Worming Calendar