Horses that have suffered as a result of worm infestation

[Tnavas]

Having had two of my horses nearly die after worming was neglected I no longer play 'Russian Roulette' with my horses lives. Both had been out on lease!

They get wormed every four months with a broad spectrum wormer. My horses have not seen the vet for over 20 years, bar annual injections. I bomb drench all new arrivals, ie. worm weekly for three weeks with an ivermectin/Praziquontal based wormer.

Since the introduction of Ivermectin in the 70's tapeworm have become a major problem. Horses do develop some immunity to parasites but for young stock you want to be ensuring they have the very best of chances. An infestation of roundworm can do a lifetime of damage. Ever had a fowl/weanling with a cough or snotty nose, guaranteed sign of roundworm infestation.

 

[Dry Rot]

I find this attitude really irresponsible, if you are going to breed then you should care for these youngsters to ensure that their current health and future health has been safeguarded.

Round worm can kill so fast, foals can look good one week and die from a blockage the next. The migration of the immature worms also damage lungs as they migrate through the lungs.

Your youngsters need to be sold with a health warning!

And I find your post really patronising!

If you are going to lecture those who breed horses, it might be a good idea to learn how to do worm egg counts, get yourself a quality microscope, then monitor the situation (as I do) rather than diving in and giving medication on whim! You have no idea of my experience or training. I won't embarrass you by asking you to quote authorities for your hysterical outburst.

 

[irishdraft]

I think youngstock should be wormed regularly, a friend had her yearling filly die from tapeworm infestation, she had wormed her but not for tapeworms assuming she would be too young to have an infestation. I had two weanlings colts which i wormed a couple of times then didnt worm over the winter, the field had been rested over the summer when they went in and was poo picked daily but when i wormed them in the spring they both had a lot of redworm thankfully neither had any long term effects that i know about anyway as I still have one who is now 7

 

[Tnavas]

And I find your post really patronising!

If you are going to lecture those who breed horses, it might be a good idea to learn how to do worm egg counts, get yourself a quality microscope, then monitor the situation (as I do) rather than diving in and giving medication on whim! You have no idea of my experience or training. I won't embarrass you by asking you to quote authorities for your hysterical outburst.

I also am a breeder and have in the past worked at some of the biggest TB studs in the Southern Hemisphere. Having also seen two of my horses nearly die from their worm infestation I don't take chances. Note horses were out on lease. I took them back! Both had massive red worm infestations, only showed up through a blood test.