Deworming - A Concrete Program

Written By: Jay Altman, D.V.M.

Most of our clients know it is important to deworm their horses.  But I am often asked by clients to recommend products and frequency.  The following is an outline of a concise and effective paste-deworming program recommended by Equine Medical Service.  For more information regarding deworming concepts, please refer to my article written in the Fall 2001 Newsletter.

Every horse beginning at about 6 weeks of age needs to be dewormed on a regular basis.  I recommend that during the first six months of life the foal be dewormed approximately every 30 days.  Once the foal is one year of age the program should be changed to the following adult horse program.

Foals

6 weeks	Fenbendazole (DD)
9 weeks	Ivermectin
12 weeks	Ivermectin
16 weeks	Fenbendazole (DD)
20 weeks	Ivermectin
24 weeks	Ivermectin
32 weeks	Pyrantel Pamoate (DD)
40 weeks	Ivermectin
48 weeks	Ivermectin

Adults

January	Ivermectin or Moxidectin
March	Oxibendazole
May	Ivermectin or Moxidectin
July	Fenbendazole
September	Ivermectin or Moxidectin
November	Pyrantel Pamoate (DD)

(DD) = Double Dose – use double the recommended quantity in one dosing!

Trade Names:
Ivermectin = Eqvalan, Equimectrin, vercure, etc.
Fenbendazole = Panacur, Safe Guard
Pyrantel Pamoate = Strongid
Moxidectin = Quest
Oxibendazole = Anthelcide EQ

Notes:

1. I do not recommend the use of moxidectin (Quest), in horses less than 2 years of age, thin or under weight horses, debilitated horses, or horses that are geriatric and suffering from Cushings Disease.
2. Once your youngster reaches a year of age he or she can be moved to the adult program with ivermectin vs. the moxidectin.
3. For specific recommendations regarding geriatric, Cushings, and ill horses please consult with your regular veterinarian.
4. The adult plan calls for at least one moxidectin deworming per year, if only once I prefer to administer this one in January.
5. Consult with your veterinarian before deworming any horse that has not had regular dewormings or that you do not know the prior deworming history of.

Additionally I recommend that an annual fecal sample be collected and analyzed to test the efficacy of both the scheduling and products you have selected.  I also urge good management practices which include pasture management and manure disposal to keep your horse healthy and prevent the building of a worm population in your horse.