Helminth infection in horses – a cross-sectional study from stables in Lower Silesia (Poland).

The study focuses on the factors impacting the prevalence of parasitic infection (helminths), specifically examining age, breed, and size of the horse herd, as well as the deworming program and types of anthelmintics used. The research was conducted on horse samples from various stables in Lower Silesia, Poland, and found a higher prevalence of infection in younger horses, those with longer time since the last deworming, and those dewormed with fenbendazole.

Background of the Study

• The research identifies parasitic infection in horses (helminth) as a significant problem affecting breeders and owners, leading to financial losses and even loss of animals.
• The authors emphasize the necessity for preventive measures and constant monitoring of parasitic diseases in horse breeding projects.

Aim and Methodology of the Study

• The study aimed to identify the impact of various factors such as age, breed, herd size, deworming programs, and the type of anthelmintics on the prevalence and intensity of helminth infections in horses in Lower Silesia, Poland.
• For this analysis, researchers collected samples from horse feces in 50 different stables across Lower Silesia from August to November 2020. A total of 286 horses from various horse breeds were part of this study.

Findings of the Study

• The research revealed that the age of the horse significantly influenced the susceptibility to helminth infections – younger horses were found to be more susceptible to the parasitic infections.
• The study observed a direct correlation between the time since the last deworming treatment and the prevalence of helminths – horses not recently dewormed were more likely to have the parasitic infection.
• The analysis also found a relationship between the type of anthelmintics used and the parasite prevalence – horses dewormed with fenbendazole had a higher prevalence of infection as compared to those dewormed with ivermectin or a combination of ivermectin with praziquantel.
• The research found the mean EPG – the number of helminth eggs in a gram of feces, as an important quantifiable way to measure the scale of the infection. Young horses reportedly had a four times higher EPG than older ones, pointing to the fact that youngsters bear a higher burden of this infection.

Implication of the Study

• The findings shed light on the factors influencing the prevalence of helminth infection in horses, which serve as an essential pointer towards improving preventive measures and better monitoring.
• The study underlines the necessity of timely deworming procedures and the choice of the right anthelmintics to ensure the well-being of young horses, in particular.