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  What active ingredient controls what
  When to worm
with what
  Pregnant mares, foals and new horses
  Rotation
  Resistance

Some horses will require an alternative worming programme from other horses on the pasture or yard. Pregnant mares, foals as well as new horses need particular attention.

  

Always check the label of each product to ensure it is suitable for use in foals, and from what age it is licensed for use.
The worms that are of particular concern to foals are intestinal threadworms and large roundworms (Ascarids).
New horses
The worm burden and treatment history of a new horse may not be fully known and so it is important to treat them on arrival at their new home. Not only is this for their health, but also to prevent them from bringing resistant worms onto your pasture/yard.

New horses should be treated for all stages of worms with a wormer that is licensed to control benzimidazole resistant strains, and then housed for 48 hours. This will prevent them from passing any eggs onto the pasture and so infecting the existing horse population. Make sure they are given an accurate dose according to their weight; use a weigh tape or weigh scales.

The new horse can then fit into the worming programme set for the rest of the yard.
Do not be tempted to hold off this initial treatment if the whole yard is due to be treated in a couple of weeks; in this time the new horse could have infected the pasture and other horses. It should not be detrimental for the horse to be wormed again in this period, or for the other horses’ treatment to be brought slightly forward, depending on the active ingredient used. If you are uncertain, always seek the advice of your veterinary surgeon.
 
Pregnant mares

A mares’ natural resistance to worms is reduced during late pregnancy; as such pregnant mares are a significant source of pasture contamination. To help reduce this pasture contamination as well as to help keep the mare healthy both during and after pregnancy, it is important to routinely worm the animal using a product that is licensed for use in pregnant and lactating mares.

In addition the mare should be wormed just before foaling, as four to five days after birth, worms often pass through the mare’s milk to the foal.
Foals
Foals are particularly susceptible to worm burdens as they have not yet built up their natural resistance, and can suffer long-term damage if not wormed appropriately.

The worming of foals should start at four to six weeks of age or as soon as they start to graze on pasture. Treatment should be repeated every four weeks until six months of age. Thereafter, worming can be continued as per the individual wormer’s recommended dosing intervals.

As foals are constantly growing, their weight will be continually changing, therefore foals should be weighed prior to each treatment using a weigh tape or weigh scales to ensure the correct dose is given according to the foal’s weight.
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