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Parasitology research2011; 109(6); 1625-1635; doi: 10.1007/s00436-011-2434-0

A questionnaire survey on helminth control on horse farms in Brandenburg, Germany and the assessment of risks caused by different kinds of management.

Abstract: Control strategies for horse helminths are controversially discussed, and no ideal strategy exists. Presently, the spreading of anthelmintic resistance against all three classes of anthelmintics is of special concern. Advice on how to slow the development of anthelmintic resistance does not seem to have reached the majority of horse owners yet. In our study, we wanted to capture the current standard of helminth control and to analyse the effectiveness of these control strategies. Seven hundred horse farms in Brandenburg, Germany were sent a questionnaire in June/July 2006 asking various questions on farm structure and practices of helminth control. Two hundred thirty-five farms (33.6%) with 6,007 horses in total returned the questionnaire. The number of horses held on each farm varied from 1 to 320. From those returned questionnaires, a random sample of 126 horse farms and 1,407 horses was selected for faecal examination from August to December 2006. The questionnaire results from these farms were correlated with results from the faecal examination to perform risk analysis via multivariate regression. For each farm, results from faecal examination were summarized in index values. Risk was defined as an over-average level of strongyle egg shedding. Risk factors as established by multivariate regression analyses were integrated into three models. Rare deworming and infrequent cleaning of stables were identified as significant risk factors throughout all three models. Additional risk factors could be identified with respect to individual models: elevated percentage of young horses on a farm, not using macrocyclic lactones in the deworming process and dosing anthelmintics on the basis of weight and height. Pasture hygiene did not lead to significant risk reduction, indicating that such measures are inadequately performed on many farms. The questionnaire on its own gave us an insight into control strategies throughout a representative scope of farms in Brandenburg, Germany: faeces were collected from pasture on 22% of horse farms, 79% cleaned out the stables daily. A number of other measures were employed. With respect to anthelmintic use, 21% of the farms stated to use results from faecal examination as a criterion for deworming. We could also identify the most common deworming frequencies, with adult horses being dewormed two times a year (46% of farms) and foals being dewormed four times a year (35% of farms). The frequency ranged from 1 to 7 and 2 to 12 times, respectively.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-11 PubMed ID: 21559764DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2434-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates the control strategies for horse helminths (parasitic worms) on farms in Brandenburg, Germany, and assesses the risks posed by varying management practices. The study involved a questionnaire survey and faecal tests, with various risk factors identified, including infrequent deworming and stable cleaning.

Methodology of the Research

  • The researchers conducted a questionnaire survey on 700 horse farms in Brandenburg, Germany in 2006, asking about their farm structure and worm control practices.
  • From the 33.6% (235 farms) which responded, a random sample of 126 horse farms was selected for faecal examination.
  • The faecal examinations were conducted from August to December 2006.

Results of the Survey and Examinations

  • The research identified the number of horses on the farms varied from 1 to 320, and a total of 6,007 horses were covered in the survey.
  • The questionnaire results from the selected farms were correlated with the results from the faecal examination to perform risk analysis via multivariate regression.
  • Risk was defined as an over-average level of strongyle (parasitic worm) egg shedding.
  • The factors contributing to this risk were integrated into three models. Infrequent deworming and cleaning of stables were identified as significant risk factors in all three models.
  • Additional risk factors were the high percentage of young horses on a farm, not using macrocyclic lactones in the deworming process, and dosing anthelmintics (parasitic drug) based on weight and height.
  • Pasture hygiene did not significantly reduce the risk, indicating that such measures are not adequately performed on many farms.

Insights from the Questionnaire

  • The survey revealed that 22% of the horse farms collected faeces from pasture for analysis, and 79% cleaned out the stables daily.
  • About 21% of the farms cited faecal examination results as a criterion for deworming.
  • The survey also showed the common deworming frequencies, with 46% of farms deworming adult horses twice a year and 35% of farms deworming foals four times a year.

Cite This Article

APA
Hinney B, Wirtherle NC, Kyule M, Miethe N, Zessin KH, Clausen PH. (2011). A questionnaire survey on helminth control on horse farms in Brandenburg, Germany and the assessment of risks caused by different kinds of management. Parasitol Res, 109(6), 1625-1635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2434-0

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 109
Issue: 6
Pages: 1625-1635

Researcher Affiliations

Hinney, Barbara
  • Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14193 Berlin, Germany. Barbara.hinney@vetmeduni.ac.at
Wirtherle, Nicole Catherine
    Kyule, Moses
      Miethe, Norbert
        Zessin, Karl-Hans
          Clausen, Peter-Henning

            MeSH Terms

            • Animal Husbandry / methods
            • Animals
            • Anthelmintics / administration & dosage
            • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
            • Feces / parasitology
            • Germany
            • Helminthiasis, Animal / prevention & control
            • Helminthiasis, Animal / transmission
            • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
            • Horses / parasitology
            • Hygiene
            • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
            • Surveys and Questionnaires

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            Citations

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