Occurrence of Strongylidae (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) in Polish horses “tarpans” from Popielne Reserve.

This study evaluates the intensity and type of strongylid infections in Polish horses, known as “tarpans”, both in a stable and wild environment using anthelmintic treatments and faecal examinations. The research discovered a higher infection rate of small strongyles in the stabled horses, while wild tarpans exhibited a larger prevalence of large strongyles.

Objective and Methodology

• The research aimed at exploring the intensity of strongylid infection, a type of parasitic roundworms, in two different environments: stabled and wild tarpans. Tarpans are a breed of Polish horses.
• In order to achieve this, the study used a methodology based on anthelmintic treatment to collect worms and faecal examinations on horses from the Popielne Reserve in Poland.

Results and Findings

• The anthelmintic treatment was effective at deriving 12 types of cyathostomes and one large strongyle species from the faeces of two treated tarpans.
• The most prevalent cyathostome species in these horses were C. catinatum, C. pateratum, C. longibursatum, C. nassatum and C. coronatus.
• The research found that the intensity of small strongyle (cyathostomes) infections was higher in stabled horses when compared to those kept in the nature reserve.
• In contrast, large strongyles were found to be more common in wild tarpans. The most common species among these was Strongylus vulgaris, with a prevalence rate of 66.7%. However, the intensity of infection with these types of strongyles was low.

Conclusion and Comparison

• The findings from this study were compared with those from prior research conducted on horses in both Poland and internationally.
• The comparative analysis indicated a consistent prevalence of cyathostomes in different breeds of horses across the globe. This factor underscores the stability and pervasiveness of these parasites irrespective of breed variations or geographical location.