Commonly used equine deworming practices are changing. While it is still important to deworm foals on a bi-monthly basis due to their lack of immune development, it may no longer be necessary to follow longtime-used bi-monthly deworming practices for all adult pasture horses. All adult horses are still susceptible to the damage caused by red worms and tape worms thus, all should be dewormed at minimum every spring and/or fall.
Source: Business Farming, February 24, 2016.
De-worming horses that don’t need it is leading to the development of ‘super-worms’ like ‘super-bugs’ that are resistant to the available drugs.
INSIGHTS: Changing deworming strategies based on updated research can help prevent further development of “super worms” that become difficult to treat or eradicate. It will also likely save you time and money on unnecessary deworming products. Fecal egg counts are an inexpensive way to identify horses most in need of treatment and help you minimize unnecessary use of anthelmintics.