Parasite control
Worming
Different worming products protect against different parasitic threats. For the most part, there are three classes of dewormers that combat different combinations of worms, these are: macrocyclic lactones, which include ivermectin and moxidectin; tetrahydropirimidines, or pyrantel; and finally benzimidazoles, which include febendazole, mebendazole and oxibendazole. Prazaquantel is the fourth chemical group that has a less significant role to play in worm prevention and is used primarily in combination formulas.
Keep in mind the chemicals listed above are not brand names, instead they are the active chemicals in worm prevention. To keep horses safe from all these threats, a healthy rotation of all these chemical classes is necessary. The brand makes no difference, the key component to look for when purchasing these products is what chemical group it falls into. Finally, there are combination dewormers and continuous dewormers that have some combination of the above listed chemicals.
Parasite control is of utmost importance in maintaining your horse's health and helping prevent intestinal damage. Most vets recommend de-worming every eight weeks, with bot de-worming done in the late fall or early winter. The reason for worming every eight weeks is that after 10-12 weeks your horse no longer has larvae in his gut; they will have become real worms.
Fly Control
Flies can carry disease, cause ligament damage and create a general nuisance to you, your horse and your neighbors. There are several ways to fight the fly battle, including: manure management, using other bugs to prey on the flies, trapping, using chemicals and fly masks or wraps.
Consistent Feeding Program
Feeding your horse a consistent and balanced diet is another way to prevent disease. Abrupt shocks to the digestive system can affect the immune system and make a horse more susceptible to infection.
Consider feeding grass hay, the horse's natural feed, along with a ration formulated to give the horse any further vitamins and minerals.Also, there are many supplements on the market designed to boost your horses' immunity, including echinacea, ginseng and others. Some companies, including Brookby Herbs and Naturally Equine make a supplement specifically designed to boost a horse's immune system.
The Little Things
There are little things, mostly common horse-owner knowledge, that you should be doing to keep your horse from getting sick.
• Feed your horse in a tub on the ground. The horse's body was designed to eat with its head down, allowing mucous and potential infectors to run out the nostril as it eats. The hay should not be on the ground because of worming and strangles dangers. If you notice your horse coughing and sneezing after he eats, this may be why.
• If you live in an area where the winters are cold you have a choice: to blanket or not to blanket and to stall or not to stall. If you start the winter out blanketing or stalling your horses, you must be consistent.
• Exercise is the best way for a horse to stay healthy. A stalled horse needs to stretch his legs to keep blood flowing properly and his immune system up. Also, if you stall your horse, make sure he gets enough exercise. Inactivity in an ammonia-soaked stall is a sure way to bring on infection. Warming up a blanketed or stalled horse in the winter is very important, while cooling-down a non-blanketed or stalled horse is just as vital.
• Grooming is an often-overlooked activity that has a two-fold benefit. First, it increases the horse's circulation, and second, gives you a chance for a close look at anything that might become a problem.
• Having your horses' teeth floated regularly is a good way to make sure they are getting all the proper nutrition they need.
• Pick and clean your horses' hooves regularly to prevent thrush. STW
