STRATEGIC DEWORMING OF THE HORSE
Worm parasites are dormant in winter and hot summer months so those seasons are not a good time to worm. We worm in the spring and fall.
In the spring (April), the larva stage strongyle worms (bloodworms) that are encysted in the large intestine wall hatch and molt into adult worms. The new adult worm attaches to the intestine, sucks blood, and lays eggs which are passed out in the manure contaminating the pasture. WE no longer worm every 2 months as previously practiced but instead recommend a strategic worming schedule that deworms when there are the most parasites. The promotion overusing these wormers in past years has led to parasite resistance to the wormers and the emergence of summer sores. Changing the brand of wormer often does not change the contents of the tube. There are only a limited number of equine antiparasitic on the market. Benzimidazoles (Fenbendazole/Oxibendazole), Pyrimidines (Pyrantel), and Macrocyclic lactones (Ivermectin/Moxidectin) are the only 3 main drug classes. There are no new upcoming drugs. If these chemicals become more ineffective due to overuse, we will have no more options to control parasites
APRIL 15, TIME TO DEWORM
Worm now with Ivermectin or Quest for the adult strongyles, the L3 larval form, and the bots. Zimecterin Gold, Quest Plus and Equimax have Praziquantel which kills the tapeworms too. There is another worm hatch in 6 months. On October 15 we worm the young horses age 1-3 and do a fecal test on adult horses to see if they need to be wormed. Baby horses get their 1st wormer with Panacur double dose at 2 months of age and then wormed monthly.
TIME FOR SPRING VACCINATIONS AND COGGINS TEST
7 Way is an annual vaccine that contains Eastern & Western Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, Flu, and Rhino/Equine Herpes 1,4. This is recommended for horses that travel to shows, playdays, breeding farm, trails. Booster high risk horses (those exposed to outside horses) with a Rhino/Equine Herpes 1,4 vaccine every 6 months.
Rabies Vaccine booster is given annually to horses.
Core Vaccine is a basic vaccine has East/West Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, Rabies. It does not contain or provide protection from Flu or EHV1. This vaccine is for horses that don’t go anywhere and have no exposure to outside horses.
Any horse that has not been vaccinated will need a booster in 4 weeks then annually.
Don’t forget to confirm that your horse has a current Coggins test. This blood test for Equine Infectious Anemia is required for a change of ownership, a health certificate when crossing state lines, horse shows, playdays, barrel races, ropings, and trail ride areas. We run the tests on Tuesdays and Thursdays here at the clinic. Don’t miss an event because your Coggins is expired!
FIRST AID KIT
Make kits in a backpack or tote for the barn and to carry in the horse trailer.
- Oral dose of Banamine or Bute for colic, fever or pain.
- Bandage material such as cotton, vet wrap, and Neosporin antibiotic cream for cuts.
- Eye ointment for an eye that is watering, squinting or eye injury.
- A thermometer. A drug store human digital thermometer will due. Normal temperature is 100.
- Prepare for transport. Be sure your trailer is ready or keep phone numbers of friends in your kit who will haul your horse to the vet in case of an emergency.
FOUNDER ALERT
For those easy keepers or horses that have foundered before, it is time to get them off the green grass so they will not founder again.
CASTRATION SIGNS April 8-14.
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