Worming Your Horse, when, how, and with what.  knowing how to properly worm your horse is an extremely important task if owning a horse. Controlling internal parasites is a primary concern and practice to keep your horse healthy.  Furthermore, developing an effective deworming strategy and plan for your horse is imperative. Although, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to worming your horse. . Controlling parasites involves setting up a reasonable program and sticking with it.

At Martin’s, we know the importance of having the right equine health products when you need them. Our staff can help with what fits your needs for both horses and livestock.

We carry an assortment of livestock, equine, and pet health products. This includes de-wormers, fly control products, vaccines, supplements, wound care, flea control, and more. Not only do we have the products you need but we have the supplies needed to administer those products. For instance, we have balling guns, needles, syringes.

You will find trusted brands of equine wormers such as:

• Zimecterin Gold
• Safeguard
• Bimectin
• Quest Gel
• Quest Plus Gel
• Exodus

Signs a horse has worms

• Lethargy
• Loss of condition
• Diarrhea
• Colic
• Lack of appetite
• Dull or rough-looking coat
• Weightloss
• Worms in stool

When to worm

It is ideal to use the minimum number of treatments possible in a year, as over-worming can lead to resistance.  Traditionally it has been recommended that you worm your horse every two months, but recently there has been some debate on whether that causes resistance build-up.  Today most veterinarians suggest worming at least twice yearly unless your horse is showing signs and symptoms of having worms.

In other words, you will need to deworm your horse after the first frost or cold front of the year and again in the spring. Here in Florida be aware of your horse’s condition during the hot summer months. Morevoer, keeping track of their fecal egg count will help to manage parasites and will give you a more accurate idea of when your horse needs to be wormed.  In addition, make sure one of the wormers that you select fights against tapeworms.

 

How to worm

Worming your horse should be an easy worry-free process. It really is all about the approach. If you act casually, stay calm, present it in a non-threatening way then things will go smoothly.  Most of today’s wormers have a flavor to make it more enjoyable for your horse.  Besides, you can always add a flavor to the outside of the tube such as honey or molasses so that your horse will come to look forward to the taste.

Have your horse safely tied, head down, and present the tube as you would a bit. Place the tube in the back of the mouth in the corner and depress the plunger slowly to ensure all of the product gets taken.

That simple.

What to worm with

As we listed earlier in the article Martin’s Larsen Farm carries some top-quality brand wormers.  We stand behind each of them. They all come with proper directions on how to administer so make sure to read the directions and follow accordingly.

Brands we carry

• Zimecterin Gold Paste Horse Wormer is the first equine dewormer licensed in the U.S. for the control of equine tapeworms. Zimecterin Gold combines ivermectin and praziquantel to provide the broadest spectrum of parasite control available for horses. Furthermore,  Praziquantel is proven to have a wide margin of safety and to be highly effective for controlling tapeworms in horses. Zimecterin Gold may be used in horses 2 months of age and older.

 

•  Safe-Guard dewormer for horses is an oral worming paste that contains 10% fenbendazole for horses. Also, it is safe and effective control of large and small strongyles, pinworms, and roundworms. Safeguard horse wormer is safe for pregnant mares, stallions, and foals. Additionally, safeguard has an apple flavor horses love.

 

• Bimectin A proven anthelmintic and boticide Bimectin 1BIM004 Ivermectin Horse Paste, contains 1.87% ivermectin paste, providing the broadest spectrum activity against parasites and bots. Moreover, it is apple flavored and scented for excellent palatability and ease of dosing. The calibrated syringe allows accurate dosing and the ivermectin dewormer gel formulation facilitates absorption. Apple Flavored.

 

• Quest Gel and Quest Gel Plus Just one dose of Quest or Quest Plus Gel treats and controls encysted small strongyles, bots and roundworms. Quest plus contains an additional active ingredient — praziquantel — for efficacy against tapeworms. The American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends tapeworm treatment in the late fall or early winter after tapeworm transmission ends due to cold weather.

 

• Exodus Paste horse wormer contains pyrantel pamoate for horses and removes and controls mature infections of large and small strongyles, pinworms, and roundworms in horses and ponies. The horse dewormer paste is a palatable apple flavor for ease of administration. Exodus is safe for use in foals, pregnant mares, and stallions. Each single-dose syringe treats up to 1,200 lbs. of body weight.

Do you have questions regarding animal health and grooming products? Contact us or stop into our Oxford or Eustis, Florida locations today. Our staff is happy to help you find the answers and the right product to fit your needs.

Martin’s offers delivery to the central Florida area.

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