Deworming recommendations

There are two methods used for deworming horses. The first method is to administer paste dewormers  every 6-8 weeks. The second method is to keep the horse on a daily dewormer and paste deworm twice a year.

1.Paste Deworming Protocol:

This schedule is recommended for the Southeastern United States for horses not on a continuous  deworming program.( i.e. daily Strongid C 2X):

January - Ivermectin/praziquantel combination

March - Oxibendazole or Fenbendazole 

May - Moxidectin (Quest) ( Use in horses only. We do not recommend using in miniature horses or ponies.)

       -Ivermectin  for miniature horses and ponies

July - Double dose Pyrantel Pamoate (2 tubes for an adult horse)

September - Ivermectin/Praziquantel combination

November - Double dose Fenbendazole (Panacur) This can be repeated for 4 more days if horse is showing signs of small strongyle infestation (poor coat, chronic colic, diarrhea, unthrifty).  This is available commercially as the Panacur Power Pac.

*Remember to read the active ingredient. For example fenbendazole is the active ingredient in Panacur and Safeguard.

Alternate Paste Proticol:

There are arguments that rotating dewormers as above allows the parasites a chance to become resistant to all of the dewormers used at the same time.  Therefore, some practitioners suggest using Pyrantel for 3-4 successive dewormings (6-8 weeks apart), Fenbendazole for 3-4 dewormings and Ivermectin for 3-4 dewormings.  Interspersed in this mix an owner must make sure that some form of an ivermectin is used June and December for bots, and that at least one Pyrantel Pamoate dose is doubled if no Praziquantel is being used.  A Panacure Power Pac (double dosed Fenbendazole daily for 5 days) can be used any time additional coverage is deemed necessary.

**Also note that a fecal egg count can be performed during the year to test your deworming stratagy.

2. Daily Deworming Protocol

Deworm December and June with Ivermectin/praziquantel combination and keep horse on a daily dewormer, pyrantel pamoate (Strongid 2 x). If you choose this protocol, we recommend enrolling in the Preventicare Program offered by Pfizer. 

Note* Before starting the continuous deworming program, deworm with Ivermectin/Praziquantel, Quest or a Panacur Power Pac.