Question about bots- following worming post.

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merlinsquest

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If I have never in the three summers I have had him, seen any bot eggs on merlin (despite being out all summer) so would he be likely to have a burden of these type of worm of any great importance if I didnt worm him??

I worm regularly and correctly, so in reality he shouldnt have them, but if I didnt worm would he still be able to pick them up. I know they lick them off their coat, I assume they can pick them up from pasture too, but not 100% sure, (doh, sorry if stupid question.... its getting late)!!
 
Worming against bots works. When I first moved here there were loads of the blighters but I have been worming (and all my neighbours are on the same schedule as me) and the decrease in the amount of bots around is quite dramatic as a result of it.

If I were you, I would continue to worm regardless of whether you think they are around or not. Keeps your horse clean and helps everyone in your vicinity...because if everyone stops worming for this then they will be back. And yes you are right they can lick them up off the ground which is why when people use that bot knife, they should pick up all the egg scrapings and not leave them around.
 
Sorry, question must have come over a bit wrong.....
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.... not thinking of stopping worming, just wondering if he is less likely to have them because he doesnt get the eggs laid on him like you see some poor horses
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Yellow legs and all that.

I worm coz I'm too scared not too
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Its easier to worm and know he is safe than to worry.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sorry, question must have come over a bit wrong.....
frown.gif
.... not thinking of stopping worming, just wondering if he is less likely to have them because he doesnt get the eggs laid on him like you see some poor horses
frown.gif
Yellow legs and all that.

I worm coz I'm too scared not too
grin.gif
Its easier to worm and know he is safe than to worry.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's hard to tell how many bots your horse has/hasn't been exposed to...I'd probably just do the old ivermectin/moxidectin thing and then search his droppings to see.
But I'm weird like that.
S
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Ahh. Well he is probably less likely to have them as they are not in abundance in your area....or at least aren't laying on your horse. This is no guarantee that they aren't around or laying in the field though.
 
White legged horses tend to be bothered less by bot flies, however the side-effect of this is eggs very often ARE actually laid there, they are just far more difficult to see.
 
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Have never seen them but will look even closer next year
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and continue to worm regardless of if they are there or not
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The bot larvae are much more impressive...you should keep some as a specimen....some of my students once brought me a tapeworm....it was a lovely gift
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S
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Oh I have "investigated" dead bot larvae - I agree, quite impressive.
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I think the only worm I haven't come across is a tapeworm - always wanted to examine one though.
 
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Oh I have "investigated" dead bot larvae - I agree, quite impressive.
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I think the only worm I haven't come across is a tapeworm - always wanted to examine one though.

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They do look quite like....er.....tapes....
S
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