[Intestinal parasites infection of horses from riding clubs in Kraków area].

This research aimed to investigate the extent and nature of intestinal parasite infections in horses from riding clubs in the Krakow area, specifically looking at the prevalence of strongyles, a common equine parasite. The research, conducted in 2001 and 2002, found that seasonal factors and different horse management systems had an impact on the prevalence of these parasites.

Research Methodology

• The study used the McMaster method, a common approach to testing for parasites in fecal samples, to detect and quantify the presence of parasite eggs in the horses’ stool. This allowed them to calculate ‘eggs per gram’ (EPG), a standard measure of parasite infestation.
• The McMaster method also enables the calculation of the prevalence of infection, which is the percentage of the horse population that is infected.

Main Findings

• The most common parasite found in the horse populations studied was strongyles (Strongylidae).
• For horses kept on paddocks, two peaks of strongyles egg outputs were identified in the study’s first year, notably in May and January. However, horses kept under a pasture system had a different egg output dynamic. The highest levels were identified in May, August to October, and March.
• In the second year, a seasonal pattern of parasite prevalence from April to October was identified. The prevalence and measure of infestation (EPG) were higher in horses under a pasture system than in horses on paddocks, whether those paddocks had grass or not.

Implications

• The study suggests that horse management systems and seasonal factors both impact the dynamics of parasite infestation.
• It indicates that pasture systems may be more conducive to high levels of strongyles infection, a concerning finding as strongyles can cause a range of health issues in horses, including weight loss, colic, and diarrhea.
• These findings highlight the importance of regular parasite testing and effective worm control strategies in horse populations, especially for those horses kept on pasture.