What do we know about worm control? Advice on the best ways to control worms in horses has changed in recent years and it is important to stick with the new advice to ensure a healthy and happy horse.
Tapeworms are the biggest worms to affect horses in this country. The most common type of tapeworm can grow up to 20cm long, but there is a much rarer type that can grow up to 80cm!
A faecal worm egg count indicates whether you need to give your horse a wormer or not. It measures the number of worm eggs contained in a sample of your horse’s dung.
To help keep your horse free from illness, you need an effective worm control plan. Parasite life cycles are linked to the seasons, so your worming schedule should consider the time of year.
Small and large redworms, large roundworms and tapeworms are four of the most dangerous equine worm parasites that can affect your horse. Every horse, like any animal, is home to countless microscopic creatures. Most of them are nothing to worry about.
If you’re one of the hundreds or even thousands of owners in the UK whose horse or pony suffers from laminitis, you’ll be acutely aware of the dangers of Spring grass.
Horses were first domesticated by humans about 5500 years ago, during the Stone Age. They were utilised for their strength in a number of industries including agriculture.
Horses are natural ‘flight’ animals. If something scares or concerns them, they turn and run. This is part of what makes them such natural athletes. But as riders, we also need to help calm them to keep them focused and ready to do what we ask of them. Checking for any physical issues, such as back and teeth problems, together with good management and training will help, but some horses will also benefit from the targeted nutritional support of a calmer.
As well as ensuring your horse has general good health it is important to maintaining hoof health, but external applications are also important. Follow top five tips to maintaining healthy moisture levels, to aid hoof integrity and strength.
1. Introducing a regular trimming routine will help avoid excessive drying around the bottom of hoof wall.
2. It’s recommended to maintain natural hoof moisture levels to use hoof dressings that contain pine tar. Where the dressing covers the coronary band it is recommended to massage the area regularly to stimulate hoof growth.
3. When the weather has been dry over a prolonged period use a water based moisturizer and apply daily to the hooves.
4. Apply a regular application containing zinc and sulphate, for bacterial conditions of the sole and frog. A liquid application is easy to work into grooves and cracks for maximum efficacy.
5. If you are looking for a more natural choice, essential oil of eucalyptus contains antibacterial properties. This will help maintain clean, healthy hooves and soles, whatever the weather.
Source: Kate Hore RNutr(Animal) . Snr Nutritionist at NAF - 'Healthy Hooves' 2018
