All horses will experience internal parasites at least one time in their life. Internal parasites are damaging to your horse’s health and well being. Signs that your horse may have worms are weight management, a distended belly, dull coat, low energy and signs of tail rubbing. If your horse is experiencing any of these symptoms consult a veterinarian. If these symptoms are left untreated, your horse may experience more severe problems such as digestion problems and colic.
Parasite prevention is simple when a rotation schedule is kept. Veterinarians recommend de-worming your horse every 6-8 weeks year round. Each time you use de-wormer, switch active ingredients using a rotation chart such as the below example. Rotating de-wormer ingredients allows all internal parasites to be treated in the course of a year, insuring that each type of parasite is effectively treated.
| Ingredient | Brand | Fights Against | When to Use |
| Fenbendazole | Panacur or Safe Guard | Large/Small Stronglyes, Ascardis and Pin Worms | Use During Winter (Deep Freeze) |
| Ivermectin | Zimecterin, Zimecterin Gold, Ivermectin, Quest | Small/Large Stronglyes, Pin Worms, Hair Worms, Thread Worms, Stomach Worms, Lung Worms, Round Worms and Bots | Use during Spring (First Thaw) |
| Pyrantel Pamoate | Exodus or Strongid | Small/Large Stronglyes, Ascardis and Pin Worms | Summer (Summer Grazing) |
| Fenbendazole | Panacur or Safe Guard | Large/Small Stronglyes, Ascardis and Pin Worms | End of Summer |
| Moxidectin | Quest or Quest Plus, Zimecterin or Zimecterin Gold | Small/Large Stronglyes, Pin Worms, Hair Worms, Thread Worms, Stomach worms, Lung Worms, Bots and Tape Worms | Fall (First Freeze) |
The above examples are paste de-wormers only. Be sure when using a de-wormer to follow all packaged directions.
