De-worming schedule question... help?

Question

Okay, so last time I dewormed my horse it was May 5th. So, i'm thinking i'll do the every two months thing...

I'm thinking of doing it next on July 10th. Is this reasonable? I am going to switch drug groups/brands.

AND, if I do it now, can I do it again in the fall?

My barn de worms twice a year, but I really don't think thats enough so i'm doing it every 2 months.

Is it important to stick to an EXACT schedule? Can I be a week or so off? Also, when winter comes, it wont be as necessary to de worm as often. So, should I go to every three months?

Basically, how strict does this schedule have to be?

Any advice would be great. Thanks! What should I do?

Answer 1

Most things recommend every two months but know it is not a big deal to be a little off.  I know that I usually am.  You can write it all out on your calender for the year so you know when you will need to do it.  Also I find buying the dewormers ahead in a bunch helps me make sure I am on time.  I also tend to get a little lax with the worming in the winter.  My horses are worm free so I guess it has not hurt them.  If your horse is at a stable with horses that are not dewormed as much as him it makes it harder because those horses still carry worms and will pass them along.  Deworming works at clearing out the system it is not long term protection.  So after you deworm your horse will probably pick them right back up from the other horses so you have a battle ahead of you.  Maybe talk to some of the other borders and see what they think and then talk to the owner/manager.  It would be best if they all got done every 2 months.  The owners can pay for the wormer to save the farm owner from the extra cost.  It will be better for all the horses in the long run.

Answer 2

I was always told to deworm every 3 months, but 2 months for foals. But every 2 months won't be harmful. July 10th would be just fine. You can worm again in the fall if you worm on July 10th, like you are planning.

It isn't necessary to worm exactly 2 months apart. As long as you don't go a month over, your horse will be just fine. And worming every 3 months in winter won't be harmful.

I think you have it planned out very well. Your horse should be just fine with that regimen.

Answer 3

There are two methods of worm prevention: 1) daily dewormers or 2) a paste dewormer rotation.  You will need to have an idea of the number of parasites in your horse, which can be determined by your vet by doing a fecal egg per gram test at least once a year.  For small strongyles you can use a paste dewormer at the beginning of the grazing season.  You'll want to use a paste dewormer for both bots and tapeworms at least once a year.  A rotation is a good idea, but just rotating brands will not help.  You'll want to look at active ingredients.  For example, if you switch between IverCare and Zimecterin you won't be accomplishing anything because they have the same active ingredient.  

If you use a daily dewormer such as Continuex, CW, Strongid C2X you'll also want to use Ivermectin (or something similar) in about April and again in September/October.

If doing a 2 way rotation you could use Ivermectin say in April, Aug, and Dec, and Strongid Paste in Feb, June and October.

Some owners prefer a 3 way rotation such as Safe-Guard twice yearly, Ivermectin twice and Strongid Paste twice.  That way the worms will not build up an immunity to any one paste.

Ivermectin is safe for horses, foals and mares at any stage of their pregnancy.  Ivermectin Gold shouldn't be used for foals that are less than 5 months old.  So be sure to read the instructions on your wormer.

An EXACT schedule isn't necessary, but I agree with you that just twice yearly isn't adequate.

Answer 4

you should worm every month, esp. the summer. you can alternate brands (its actually good to do) or stay ith the same. I alternate every other,,, talk to your vet and see what he says...... good luck!!!

Answer 5

Everyone at the barn should be on the same schedule and using the same dewormer.  

It's not a science.  You can be a week late.  Heck, I'm 2 weeks late sometimes.

Some people on here say "oh, just once a year is fine".  

I I think I'll do the 6 weeks til proven otherwise :)  A bad case of colic is not what my pocket can handle right now.  $12 every 6 weeks I can tolerate ;)

This is my schedule (for my area)

January:  Fenbendazole  

March:  Ivermectin Gold

May:  Pyrantel Pamoate double dose

July:  Ivermectin

September:  Fenbendazole

November:  Ivermectin Gold

December:  I sometimes give a double dose of Strongid (Pyrantel Pamoate) depending on how much there was for a fly season.  Followed by Pro Bios

great schedules:

Black Bunny gave me this one

http://www.horsehealthusa.com/cgi-local/...

http://www.newrider.com/Library/Horse_Ca...

and a vet in my area has all of this posted (vaccines and wormer *scroll down for wormer* )

http://www.spequine.com/horse_health.htm

Answer 6

every three mounths

Answer 7

At my barn we deworm every 3 months. Every time it's a different brand/type or wormer, so sometimes we to, for example, Ivermectrin in April, and the next year it might be in August. The schedule doesn't have to be exact, as long as it's somewhat consistent.

Answer 8

A good website to refer to is "thehorse.com".  You can search for most subjects on this site.  Their research is very good.  If you type in deworming or parasite control you will have several articles to choose from.  The article on parasite control that was published in the October 2001 Horse magazine is a great article on deworming.  You will have to join to view all articles but that is just like joining this website, your email address.  Hope this helps.