TNH4002-Control of Internal Parasites of the Horse

The health of the equine population is a primary concern for horse owners because it is related to reproduction, growth, performance and the overall well-being of the horse. A rigid herd health protocol for parasite control will never fit every individual situation; however, there are certain guidelines that all good horse owners can follow in establishing a parasite management program. Horse owners must review the problems of their particular farm or locality and make the herd health program fit the individual situation.

More than 150 types of internal parasites are known to infect horses. However, from a practical standpoint, the four most significant ones are strongyles, ascarids, pinworms and bots. This fact sheet will discuss the major and minor internal parasites of horses and offer various recommendations for developing an effective parasite control program.