This stuff tastes awful!
Question: I just bought a new horse and was told to worm him before I move him to his new barn. What should I use and how often do I use it?
Answer from April Reeves: Here is a schedule for times and drug brands:
Schedule for General Maintenance – North America
Jan-March Routine worming (Panacur, Safe-Guard, Anthelcide EQ)
April Tapeworm (Eqvalan, Equell, EquiMAX, Quest, Zimecterin)
May-June Routine (Strongid, TapeCare, Equi-Cide, Rotectin P)
July-Aug Routine (Anthelcide EQ, Panacur, Safe-Guard)
Sept-Oct Tapeworm (Equell, Equimectrin, IverCare, Quest, Zimecterin, Rotectin, EquiMAX)
November Encysted Redworm (EquiCide, Rotectin, Strongid, TapeCare)
December Bots (Rotectin, Bimectin, EquiMAX)
Never use the worming drugs more frequently than recommended. It can lead to resistance. The Netherlands and parts of UK are now resistant to Ivermectin.
Keep accurate records of when and what you used.
No single wormer will kill everything. This is why it is so important to rotate and schedule. Your horse may be free of strongyles while the bots are damaging him. Rotation of wormers keeps the worms in the horse from building up resistance to the chemicals.
Make sure your horse gets the exact amount for his weight. Don’t administer the full container to a foal or smaller horse or pony. Although most wormers have a safety margin, the ones prescribed by a vet must be administered exactly as stated. The thinner the horse the more susceptible he is from overdosing. Giving more wormer is a waste of money: giving less wormer is ineffective.
If there is residual wormer in your horse’s feed, it must be thrown out by the next day.
If you want a comprehensive article on worming, schedules, drug compounds and brands, check out this article: Worming Part 1
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