How To Catch And Deworm A Horse

By: Ann Brindley & Emma Jefferies

Catching a Horse Always approach the horse from where they can see you, never from directly behind or directly in front

Make sure you have a properly fitting halter with you

Haltering the Horse1. Place lead rope over the neck of the horse

2. Slip halter over the head

3. Buckle halter

4. Remove lead rope from neck

Haltering the Horse1. Place rope over neck

2. Tie rope halter

3. Always lead from the left side at the shoulder

To Deworm a HorseUsing a Weight Tape

Holding one end of the tape throw the tape over the withers

Reach under the horse behind the front legs and pull the tape snug around the horse’s heart girth

Make sure the tape is not twisted and the horse is not holding his breath

Using a Weight TapeRead the two weights shown in the boxed areas on both sides of the tape

The horses actual weight lies between the these two weights and can now be estimated accurately

Adjusting the Dosage

Set the dial ring at the graduation nearest the weight of the horse

Do not underdose

2.3 mg/lb

Deworming a HorseIf your horse is quiet and you have checked that their mouth is free from food, you can begin worming

Worming can be done from the left or right, depending on which side you are more comfortable on

Uncap syringe, insert nozzle of syringe through interdental space and deposit paste on the back of the tongue by depressing the plunger

Deworming a Uncooperative Horse

1. One hand can be placed over the nose to offer more control

2. Ask your horse to lower his head

3. Once the horse has lowered his head begin worming

Tips for Worming

• Always worm in a safe environment, with good non-slip footing

• Never worm a horse without a properly secured halter on

• Uncross tie your horse before you begin worming

• Always make sure your horses mouth is free from grass and hay before you begin worming

Lifecycle of the Worm

Types of WormerSafe-guard (fenbendazole) and Horse Health (ivermectin) are just two of many different brands of paste dewormer

They also have daily feed through wormers

Families of Wormer•Fenbendazole/Oxibendazole•Ivermectin•Pyrantel Pamoate

Deworming Program

• Families of wormer should be rotated

• Praziquantel or a double dose of Pyrantel should be used at least once a year (preferably twice, spring and fall) for tapeworm elimination

• Daily dewormer, 2 way rotation or 3 way rotation

• Most vets recommend deworming every six to eight weeks

Work Cited

• Safe-guard Directions, Intervet Inc, 2010

• Staff, The Horse. "The Horse | The Tapeworm Life Cycle." The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care. Web. 16 Sept. 2010. <http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=4579>.

• Wilson, Julie. "Equine Vaccinations and Deworming." University of Minnesota Extension. 2008. Web. 13 Sept. 2010.

The End