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Parasite control is an important part of equine health care. Horses that are too thin or have dull coats or suffer chronic colic episodes despite a careful and adequate feeding program may have some health issues that should be dealt with including being put on a regular deworming program.
Deworming programs vary by region or climate and should also vary according to the horsekeeping facility environment and for foals and aged horses. Horses living in crowded conditions require more frequent deworming than those pastured in large areas with few horses, as do aged horses and foals and weanlings.
It is generally recommended that you use different types of dewormers on a rotational schedule in order to avoid building up any sort of resistance in the parasites to any one chemical. The best way to know what you’re dealing with and how to best control parasites is to have your vet take a fecal sample from your horse(s) in order to determine the level and type of parasites present. Without taking fecal samples, your guess may be as good as your vet’s.
My own vet recommends deworming adult horses every other month and rotating between ivermectin, panacure (fenbendazol), and twice a year, a product that kills tapeworms like Equimax (combined ivermectin and prazinquantel). If you wish to educate yourself further on this subject, numerous pieces have been written on equine parasites, the various types of equine dewormers, their efficacy and why rotation is the current practice of choice. One such piece is this detailed and informative article by Cherry Hill, available on her website at http://www.horsekeeping.com/horse_health_care/horse_dewormers.htm.
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