Farnam outlines your options to protect your horse from parasites.

Regular deworming is important to your horse's health

From AQHA Corporate Partner Farnam

For effective parasite control, you must have your horse on a regular deworming program. Several options are available. Pick the one that works best for you.

Single Product, Broad-Spectrum Control

Broad-spectrum compounds, like ivermectin and moxidectrim, kill a wide range of equine parasites, including bots, when used regularly, according to label directions. Dosage is based on the weight of the horse.

Because of their broad-spectrum control and no record of resistance, these products may be used exclusively in a deworming program.

When you join the American Quarter Horse Association, you get discounts on many corporate partner products. Plus, AQHA and AQHYA memberships offer access to information and programs designed to increase your knowledge and enjoyment of the American Quarter Horse.

Rotational Deworming

Many horse owners and veterinarians prefer to rotate between chemical classes to prevent resistance. Some small strongyles have shown resistance to benzimidazoles through the years.

If you rotate dewormers, be sure to alternate between chemical classes, not just brand names. Parasites develop resistance to whole classes of drugs. For example, ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate are often rotated because they come from different chemical classes. Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone; pyrantel pamoate is a pyrimidine.

Ivermectin is often included in rotation programs as a boticide. Many compounds, like pyrantel pamoate, do not have an FDA-approved claim for bot control.

Daily Deworming

Daily deworming has become more and more popular during the past decade. A dose of pyrantel tartrate is fed daily to continuously kill parasites as they enter the horse. Parasites are killed before they have a chance to reproduce, reducing pasture contamination.

If you use a daily dewormer, make sure your horse eats his full dose every day.

Since pyrantel tartrate has no effect on bots, you need to use a boticide, like ivermectin, twice a year.

You can get more information on effective parasite control from Farnam’s deworming guide.

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AQHA members have a great opportunity to win a trip to QuarterFest: A Celebration of the American Quarter Horse. This one-of-a-kind event, May 1-3 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will be a chance to ride, touch, observe and learn how to care for your American Quarter Horse.

If you’ve visited AQHA’s new web site, americashorsedaily.com – and you want to visit QuarterFest – here’s the deal: In 200 words or less, tell us which tip on americashorsedaily.com you have benefited from most, and explain why. On the site, you’ll find tips and advice on training, recreational riding, showing, horse health and breeding – so you have lots to choose from.

Send us your entries no later than March 27. And please adhere to the word limit; longer essays will be disqualified. We’ll only accept one entry per person. The contest is open to AQHA members over age 18, and the winner will be notified by April 3.

The prize includes airfare to Murfreesboro from anywhere within the contiguous United States, hotel accommodations and event admission. Visit America’s Horse Daily for complete rules and to submit your entry.