Horse Worming Programmes

To allow targeted, effective worming, horses need to be sorted into groups in accordance with their level of risk of clinical disease. It is also imperative that pasture contamination is kept to a minimum through good management.

High risk horses:

• High density grazing
• New horses introduced to the group often
• Horses under 3 years in the group
• Droppings are rarely picked
• High shedders within the herd

NOTE: horses under 3 years and foals are always high risk

Low risk horses:

• Mature horses (over 3 years old)
• No more than 2 horses per acre
• New horses are rarely or carefully introduced
• Droppings are picked twice a week.

Horse Wormers – key brands and the drugs they contain

Remember it’s crucial to take note of the drug contained in the wormer you are dosing your horse with as different drugs target different types of worms.

• Tapewormer – product containing praziquantel or double dose pyrantel
• Broad spectrum wormer – product containing ivermectin
• Encysted red worms – product containing moxidectin

Fenbendazole – Panacur
Pyrantel – Nemantel P
Ivermectin – Dugmectin
Moxidectin – Equest
Praziquantel – Equiptape
Praziquantel & Ivermectin – Equimax or Eqvalan Duo
Praziquantel & Moxidectin – Equest Pramox

If you are unsure of a horse’s worming history, a 5 day fenbendazole course prior to worming with another wormer is strongly advised.