Making sense of dewormers
Deworming forms an important part of any equine health care regime and the correct use of available deworming products can help horse owners to maximise the product’s efficacy and help ensure the long term health of equines in their care.
For a deworming program to be effective and to avoid the build-up of resistance in worm populations the rotation of dewormers based on the product’s active ingredient is advised. It is therefore necessary to not only take note of a product’s brand name when purchasing your dewormer, but also of the active ingredient present in the product. This will allow you to ensure that an effective, rotational deworming program can be followed for your horse.
It is equally important to administer the correct dose of each dewormer as per the manufacturer’s recommendations included with each product. Again this will prevent resistance build-up in worm populations and ensure that the dewormer’s efficacy is maximised for effective worm control.
The most common active ingredients found in equine dewormers are Ivermectin and Praziquantel. These active ingredients are effective against roundworm, tapeworm and bot infestations. Branded products containing these active ingredients include Pegamax, Pegaforte, Equifox Multiworm and Equimax. Pegaforte is the concentrated version of Pegamax and is produced in a smaller tube which is both easier to administer and eliminates wastage.
Another active ingredient found in equine dewormers is Pyrantel Pamoate. This active ingredient is effective against strongyle, pinworm and ascarid infestations. Branded products containing this active ingredient include Pegasol.
It is recommended that equines are dewormed four times a year. The combination of Ivermectin and Praziquantel (Pegamax, Pegaforte, Equifox Multiworm and Equimax) should be used twice a year during mid summer and mid winter with the rotational change of Pyrantel Pamoate (Pegasol) being administered twice a year during mid spring and mid autumn.