Companion Animal Welfare

Horse Pasture Parasite Control Welfare

Strategic parasite control in horses balances treating parasitic disease with preserving anthelmintic efficacy through refugia-based approaches.

Key Facts

Cyathostomes (small strongyles) are the primary gastrointestinal parasites in horses
Anthelmintic resistance to ivermectin is emerging in some cyathostome populations
Fecal egg counting identifies high shedders requiring treatment while sparing low shedders
Refugia preservation by leaving some untreated horses maintains susceptible parasite populations
Pasture management including poo picking and resting reduces contamination

Welfare Considerations

Parasitic disease causes weight loss, colic, and reduced welfare in affected horses. However, treating all horses regardless of burden accelerates resistance development. Strategic treatment based on fecal egg counting protects welfare while preserving treatment efficacy for the long term.

What You Can Do

Implement fecal egg counting before anthelmintic treatment in your horses
Pick up droppings regularly from horse pastures to reduce environmental contamination
Work with a veterinary parasitologist to develop a strategic parasite control plan