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We do our best to help keep you all informed on preventative measures and since October is a great time to deworm your horse, we thought it would be a great time to discuss why and how.
A horse's immune system cannot fight off a parasite on its own. If left untreated, these parasites can become debilitating to a horse or maybe even fatal.
This is where regular deworming treatments can protect your horse from these unwanted little creatures. Parasite treatments are very easy to use. If you have not already started your horse on a regimen, now is a good time to start and head off parasites before they become an issue.
A dewormer regimen rotating with different dewormers can treat the parasites in different cycles of development so that the parasite does not have a chance to develop immunity. A standard plan includes bi-annual Ivermectin and in-between treatments with a different dewormer. All the varieties are available at FELDMANS Farm & Home, with multiple options for treatment including pre-loaded oral syringes and pellets or liquid that is added to a horse's feed.
Most of the time owners deworm their horses and still rely on their veterinarian for examinations and annual vaccinations. Ivermectin is usually given in April and October and should be given before the frost is out of the ground and the parasites are active again. During the fall, you should administer after a good hard freeze.
Foals can begin their deworming at 6 weeks old. If your horse has never been dewormed, then you want to start with a half a dose and build up to a full dose in 4-6 weeks. If administered this way, it will help prevent the horse from getting colicky.
Now, there are different forms of Ivermectin having the same active ingredient designed to target the broad array of parasites. In addition, some Ivermectin is available with an extra defense against tapeworm. Between Ivermectin treatments, you should rotate other active ingredients such as Moxidectin, Strongid P, or Praziquantel.
This month our Ivermectin Apple Paste Dewormer, curing up to a 1,250 lb horse is $2.99.
