Questionnaire study on parasite control practices on Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding farms in New Zealand.
Abstract: Against a global background of increasing anthelmintic resistance in parasites, little is known about the current parasite control strategies adopted within the equine industry in New Zealand. The aim of the study was to describe and compare the current parasite management and control practices used on Thoroughbred and Standardbred stud farms in New Zealand. An online questionnaire was used to collect data on the demographics of respondents, parasite control methods, grazing management, and use of faecal egg counts. Questions regarding parasite control strategy, how often horses were dewormed, number of treatments per year and stocking density were stratified by horse type: young stock (foals/weanlings/yearlings), wet mares (nursing a foal) or dry mares, and industry (Thoroughbred and Standardbred). Questions on grazing management were stratified by horse type and the breeding and non-breeding season. In total, 136 respondents completed the survey, of which most (66%; 90/136) were involved in the Thoroughbred breeding industry. Most (98%; 134/136) respondents used anthelmintic products to treat the horses on their property, and regardless of industry type most respondents were using interval drenching for young stock (86/129; 53%), dry mares (51/124; 41%) or wet mares (50/126; 40%). Of those respondents treating on regular interval, 55% (68/123), 42% (50/119) and 38% (46/122) were treating young stock, wet mares and dry mares every 6-8 weeks. The median number of treatments per year for young stock, dry mares and wet mares was 6 (IQR 4-8), 4 (IQR 3-6) and 4 (IQR 3-6), respectively; there was no difference in frequency of treatments by industry type. In the last 12 months respondents used a median of 2 (IQR 2-4) and 3 (IQR 2-4) different anthelmintic products to treat horses on Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding farms, respectively. Of the respondents reporting the anthelmintic products used in the last 12 months, 95% used at least one product containing macrocyclic lactones. Overall, faecal egg counts were done by 20% (25/124) of respondents and over half of respondents in both industries were consulting their veterinarian for advice on worming products. This study identified a high reliance on anthelmintic products and limited on-farm control practices that would delay the development of anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites. Further research is now required to identify the level of resistance in the New Zealand equine parasite population.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-02-20 PubMed ID: 25740568DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.02.011Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article investigates the current practices used to manage and control parasites in Thoroughbred and Standardbred horse farms in New Zealand. The survey results showed a strong reliance on anthelmintic products for parasite control and revealed a lack of alternative on-farm control strategies, raising concerns about increasing resistance among parasites to these treatments.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted an online survey to gather data on the parasite control methods employed on horse breeding farms. The questionnaire covered aspects like parasite control strategies, frequency of deworming, number of treatments per year, and stocking density.
- The questionnaire also included questions on grazing management, categorized by the horse type and season.
- The responses were further segregated based on the type of horse – young stock, wet mares (nursing a foal), or dry mares, and the industry type – Thoroughbred or Standardbred.
Results
- A total of 136 participants completed the survey, with the majority (66%) being involved in the Thoroughbred breeding industry.
- Most respondents (98%) used anthelmintic products for the treatment of horses.
- A significant portion of the respondents were using interval drenching for young stock (53%), dry mares (41%), and wet mares (40%).
- For those using regular interval treatment, over half were treating young stock, wet mares, and dry mares every 6-8 weeks.
- The median number of treatments per year was six for young stock and four for both dry and wet mares.
- In the previous year, respondents had used a median of two to three different anthelmintic products. Almost all (95%) used at least one product containing macrocyclic lactones.
- Only a small fraction (20%) of respondents performed faecal egg counts, an important measure to monitor the effectiveness of the anthelmintics and detect early signs of resistance development.
Implications
- The study highlights a considerable dependence on anthelmintic products in the control of equine parasites on Thoroughbred and Standardbred farms in New Zealand, with little use of on-farm control methods that can delay the development of drug resistance.
- The survey results suggest the need for a review of current parasite management practices and an increase in the use of non-chemical methods and regular faecal egg count monitoring to mitigate the risk of drug resistance.
- Further research is necessary to ascertain the extent of anthelmintic resistance among the equine parasite population in New Zealand.
Cite This Article
APA
Bolwell CF, Rosanowski SM, Scott I, Sells PD, Rogers CW.
(2015).
Questionnaire study on parasite control practices on Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding farms in New Zealand.
Vet Parasitol, 209(1-2), 62-69.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.02.011 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Research Centre, Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand. Electronic address: c.bolwell@massey.ac.nz.
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, United Kingdom.
- Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- Kaipaki Veterinary Services, Windsor Park Stud, PO Box 51, Cambridge 3450, New Zealand.
- Equine Research Centre, Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry / economics
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Animals
- Anthelmintics / administration & dosage
- Anthelmintics / economics
- Anthelmintics / pharmacology
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Data Collection
- Female
- Helminthiasis, Animal / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Male
- New Zealand / epidemiology
- Surveys and Questionnaires
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