Keeping Horses Healthy: Parasite Management and Nutrition

As horse owners, we strive to keep our equine partners thriving, and two critical pillars of their health are effective parasite management and balanced nutrition. These elements work hand in hand to support vitality, performance, and longevity. Based on scientific evidence, here’s how to approach both with confidence.

Parasites, like roundworms and strongyles, can wreak havoc on a horse’s digestive system. Leading to weight loss, poor coat quality, or even colic. The days of blanket deworming every few months are over, as overuse has fueled anthelmintic resistance, making many drugs less effective. Instead, veterinarians now recommend targeted deworming based on fecal egg count (FEC) tests. These tests identify high shedders – horses that contribute most to pasture contamination – and allow you to treat only those who need it.

Typically, 20% of horses carry 80% of the parasite load, so focusing on these individuals reduces medication use and resistance risks. Pasture management is equally vital: regularly remove manure, rotate grazing areas, and consider cross-grazing areas, and consider cross-grazing with sheep to disrupt parasite cycles. For a natural boost, some owners incorporate gut supportive feeds to make the digestive tract less hospitable to worms, though these should compliment, not replace, veterinary guidance.

Nutrition lays the foundation for a horse’s resilience against parasites and overall health. Horses need 1.5% to 2% of their body weight in forage daily, ideally from high quality hay or pasture, to fuel their hindgut and maintain energy. Free choice salt and fresh water are non-negotiable. As dehydration can exacerbate parasite-related stress. Supplements, like Vitamin E for immune support or selenium for muscle health, should be tailored to your horse’s needs, especially if forage is lacking in key nutrients.

For example, horses on lush pasture may need less grain but could benefit from a mineral balancer to address deficiencies. Performance horses or seniors may require low starch concentrates to support energy without overloading the gut, which can worsen parasite damage. Testing hay or pasture for nutrient content helps fine-tune feeding plans, ensuring your horse gets exactly what they need.

The interplay between nutrition and parasite control is clear: a healthy gut is less vulnerable to parasitic harm. By combining FEC-based deworming, strategic pasture management, and a forage-first diet tailored to your horse’s life stage, you can keep them in top condition. Consult your vet to design a deworming schedule and contact Otter Co-op for diet consultation to balance their diet. With these practices, you horse will not only fend off parasites but also glow with health from the inside out.