Worming foals (for those on a rotation method of worming)

[JadeWisc]

I am wondering what all of your thoughts are on the worming of foals. I see so many varried opinions on this and nobody seems to agree...not even all vets. (same as anything in the horse world really)

For those of you who use a rotation worming method instead of constant fecal samples what do you do?

 

[cblover]

I know what you mean about mixed messages and different advice out there. I'm no expert on foals but we have one this year and although I worm count my others horses and worm for tapeworm twice a year rotating the active ingredient in the wormer, with my foal I am worming him according to bodyweight every 4 weeks until he is 1 yr old. In fact I've wormed him today with Eraquell. After that I will worm count him and take it from there. It really is confused.com isn't it! LOL

 

[JadeWisc]

Thank you for the input.

I even heard somone say that you should never worm a foal until it is 6 months old?? They were given this advice by a very respected vet. That idea does not sit well with me. Has anyone else heard of this?

 

[OWLIE185]

If you have a regime of picking up the Poos each day and worm counting regularly then you should only need to worm for Tape Worms and Encysted small red worms twice a year. If the results of the worm count indicates there are worms then worm as required.

 

[JadeWisc]

If you have a regime of picking up the Poos each day and worm counting regularly then you should only need to worm for Tape Worms and Encysted small red worms twice a year. If the results of the worm count indicates there are worms then worm as required.

Yes I understand this method but I currently use the 8 week rotation for my horses. That is what most people do here. You get some who do as you suggest and others who do a daily in feed wormer as well.

The tesing and worming as needed method is gaining much more popularity here though and many people will say it is far better for the horse. Some people feel that too much worming can make the medicine ineffective while others feel that horses always have some worms/larvae present no matter what so you need to keep on top of it as a worm burden can build up quickly.

Every 8 weeks rotating has been working well for me with my older horses and I have not had any problems so I plan to stick with that for now with them.

My question and confusion really is with what is safe and recommended for a foal if you are using the rotaion method that I use. So much different info out there.

 

[minime]

I worm my foals between the first and second month and then 3 months later. They seem to be fine with this method and I have been doing it for a few years now. Mine get turned out to field in May and stay there until it snows. (usually November) I poo pick daily.