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If you are considering changing your chemical group it may be wise to wait until the grazing season.

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:-

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 rotate active ingredients during the grazing season (not at the beginning of the year). The reason for changing your selected group to a different chemical annually is to ensure that your horse does not build up a resistance to the use of wormers.

MACROCYCLIC LACTONES
lvermectin and Moxidectin
 
TETRAHYDROPIRIMIDINES
Pyrantel

BENZIMIDAZOLES
Fenbendazole, Mebendazole, Oxibendazole - there has been evidence of resistance building to products in the Benzimidazole group so it is best to take expert advice before relying on such products 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.
 
PRAZIOUANTEL
Praziquantel - 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.

Use your selected chemical group during a 12-18 month period with particular emphasis on rotation of active ingredients during the grazing season. Outside 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, whichever 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.