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Equine veterinary journal2010; 42(1); 79-83; doi: 10.2746/042516409X471485

Endoparasite control management on horse farms–lessons from worm prevalence and questionnaire data.

Abstract: Increasing prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in equine nematodes calls for a reexamination of current parasite control programmes to identify factors influencing control efficacy and development of resistance. Objective: To investigate if associations occur between prevalence of parasitic nematodes and management practices. Methods: German horse farms (n = 76) were investigated in 2003 and 2004. Information on farm and pasture management with respect to endoparasite control measures obtained using a questionnaire survey. Faecal examinations were performed in parallel. Results: Horses (n = 2000) were examined by faecal nematode egg counts, grouped into foals, yearlings and mature individuals for statistical analyses. Farms were categorised into 3 types, riding, stud farms and small holdings. Count regression models were used to analyse strongyle faecal egg count data. Following dichotomisation of faecal egg count (FEC) data, prevalence of strongyle and Parascaris equorum infections were assessed by logistic regression models as a function from various management factors. Yearlings on stud farms showed a 2-fold higher risk of being positive for strongyle FEC, higher (i.e. > or =3 per year) anthelmintic drug treatment frequencies were associated with reduced strongyle infection rates only in mature individuals but not in foals or yearlings, foals on farms fertilising pastures with horse manure had a significantly higher risk of being P. equorum FEC positive and yearlings on stud farms were more often showing incomplete FECR following anthelmintic treatment compared to yearlings on other farm types. The mean yearly treatment frequencies per age group were: foals 4.52, yearlings 3.26 and mature horses 2.72 times, respectively. Conclusions: To delay the development of anthelmintic, resistance management should include additional nonchemotherapeutic parasite control strategies, FEC-monitoring, controlled quarantine treatment of new arrivals and control of efficacy by the faecal egg count reduction test on a regular basis.
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Publication Date: 2010-02-04 PubMed ID: 20121919DOI: 10.2746/042516409X471485Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

This research examines the increasing resistance of equine worms to deworming medicine in Germany and identifies factors that affect the effectiveness of control measures. The research found that certain management practices like frequent deworming and use of horse manure as fertiliser, were associated with heightened infection rates in certain equine age groups, pointing to the necessity for reevaluation of control strategies, including additional non-drug tactics.

Research Methodology and Sample

  • The study was conducted on 76 horse farms across Germany during 2003 and 2004.
  • Research relied on both quantitative (faecal examinations) and qualitative data (questionnaire survey).
  • The horses, numbering 2000, were grouped based on age: foals, yearlings and mature horses.
  • The farms were also categorized into three types; Riding, Stud farms and Small holdings.

Evaluation Process

  • The researchers evaluated the presence of parasitic nematode eggs in the horse excreta.
  • Regression models were used to analyze the data obtained from faecal egg count.
  • This data was then dichotomised to evaluate the prevalence of strongyle and Parascaris equorum infections.

Research Findings

  • Yearlings on stud farms carried a 2-fold higher risk of showing positive for strongyle faecal egg count compared to those on other farm types.
  • Frequent treatments with deworming medicine reduced strongyle infection rates only in mature horses but not in foals or yearlings.
  • Farms that used horse manure as a fertiliser had foals with a significantly higher risk of positive P. equorum faecal egg count.
  • Across age groups, treatment frequencies on average were: foals 4.52, yearlings 3.26, and mature horses 2.72 times respectively per year.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The study recommends a rethink of deworming strategy given the increasing resistance to anthelmintic drugs.
  • Some of the suggested changes include: employing additional non-chemotherapeutic strategies, routine monitoring of faecal egg count, controlled treatment of new arrivals, and periodic evaluation of control efficacy by means of the faecal egg count reduction test.

Cite This Article

APA
Fritzen B, Rohn K, Schnieder T, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. (2010). Endoparasite control management on horse farms–lessons from worm prevalence and questionnaire data. Equine Vet J, 42(1), 79-83. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409X471485

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 1
Pages: 79-83

Researcher Affiliations

Fritzen, B
  • Clinic for Horses, Dr. H. Werhahn and Dr. M. Paar, Alte Dorfstrasse 43-45, D-27367 Sottrum, Germany.
Rohn, K
    Schnieder, T
      von Samson-Himmelstjerna, G

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Anthelmintics / pharmacology
        • Data Collection
        • Drug Resistance
        • Feces / parasitology
        • Germany / epidemiology
        • Helminthiasis, Animal / epidemiology
        • Helminthiasis, Animal / prevention & control
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
        • Horses
        • Parasite Egg Count
        • Surveys and Questionnaires

        Citations

        This article has been cited 17 times.
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