Worms
CStrongyles – Eggs hatch in the manure at temperatures of 45– 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The larvae can be infective in as little as 3 days in warm temperatures and can remain infective for several weeks in cooler temperatures. No hatching of strongyle eggs or development of larvae occurs from November to March in Minnesota. The eggs are killed by freezing temperatures. The larvae on the other hand can over winter and be infective the following spring. Infective larvae can persist over winter and are especially adapted for our weather in Minnesota.
Large Strongyles are well controlled in most deworming programs because of their simpler life cycle.
Small Strongyles invade the mucosa lining of the large intestine where they form a protective shell and can remain for several years before emerging. They are now the most important equine parasite because of their ability to produce disease and survive deworming programs. Transmission of strongyles is almost totally through pastures. Fecal egg counts are primarily concerned with small strongyle eggs.
Tapeworms – Horses get these from eating mites on pasture. Minnesota has a very high prevalence of tapeworms in horses at 98%. Tapeworms can cause colic because of inflammation of the intestinal mucosa.
Bots – The larvae are infective 7 days after the eggs are laid on the horse’s hair by the Bot fly. The oral stage is about one month. The larvae migrate and spend 8-10 months in the stomach and intestine after being swallowed.
Roundworms - These are a problem in horses less than 1 ½ years old. Eggs can remain infective for 10 years in the environment. Horses develop immunity after 2 years of age.
Pinworms, Threadworms (Strongyloides) – these and many other internal parasites are controlled with the dewormers that we use in our effort to control the more dangerous parasites.
Pin worm picture is above in the top of the page.
Parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to deworming. The most effective way to slow resistance is through responsible use of current deworming (anthelmintic) products. Please work with your veterinarian to set up the best deworming program for your horse.lick here to edit.
Large Strongyles are well controlled in most deworming programs because of their simpler life cycle.
Small Strongyles invade the mucosa lining of the large intestine where they form a protective shell and can remain for several years before emerging. They are now the most important equine parasite because of their ability to produce disease and survive deworming programs. Transmission of strongyles is almost totally through pastures. Fecal egg counts are primarily concerned with small strongyle eggs.
Tapeworms – Horses get these from eating mites on pasture. Minnesota has a very high prevalence of tapeworms in horses at 98%. Tapeworms can cause colic because of inflammation of the intestinal mucosa.
Bots – The larvae are infective 7 days after the eggs are laid on the horse’s hair by the Bot fly. The oral stage is about one month. The larvae migrate and spend 8-10 months in the stomach and intestine after being swallowed.
Roundworms - These are a problem in horses less than 1 ½ years old. Eggs can remain infective for 10 years in the environment. Horses develop immunity after 2 years of age.
Pinworms, Threadworms (Strongyloides) – these and many other internal parasites are controlled with the dewormers that we use in our effort to control the more dangerous parasites.
Pin worm picture is above in the top of the page.
Parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to deworming. The most effective way to slow resistance is through responsible use of current deworming (anthelmintic) products. Please work with your veterinarian to set up the best deworming program for your horse.lick here to edit.