Greene Lewis and Associates Deworming Recommendations
Foals
- First deworming at 2.5 – 3 months of age with fenbendazole (Panacur or Safeguard)
- Deworm again at 6 months of age or just prior to weaning with Ivermectin
- Starting at 8 months of age begin following the adult rotational deworming schedule (listed below) until 2 years of age.
- At 2 years old, the rotational schedule should be discontinued and the strategic (Test and Treat) method should be started.
**Remember that moxidectin (Quest) should not be used in foals less that 6 months of age.**
Adults/ Pregnant Mares
- Strategic or “Test and Treat” method – Fresh manure samples (1-2 fecal balls) should be collected, placed in plastic bag and put in the refrigerator (not the freezer). Samples need to be brought into the clinic within about 24 hours of collection. Results are expressed as eggs per gram (EPG) of manure. Deworming instructions will be based on the EPG results. Recommendations on when the next fecal egg count should be performed will also be made.
Daily Dewormer
- Perform a fecal egg count and follow deworming recommendations prior to starting a daily dewormer.
- Horses on a daily dewormer such as Strongid C2X will also need twice yearly deworming with:
January and July — | ivermectin/praziquantel |
Monitoring Parasite Levels
Monitoring parasite levels is important in determining the effectiveness of a parasite control program. The fecal sample should be collected ten days after the last deworming. Fecal analysis can be performed more frequently on farms entering parasite control programs or if parasite problems are suspected.