Silvopastoralism and autochthonous equine livestock: analysis of the infection by endoparasites.
Abstract: Two groups of autochthonous Pura Raza Galega (PRG) horses, one comprising 483 animals under a silvopasturing regime, and the other comprising 72 PRG horses managed in farms, were used to analyse the effect of silvopasture on infection by endoparasites. Results were considered according to the age and the sex of the horses. Faecal samples were individually collected from each animal and analysed by the coprological flotation, sedimentation and migration techniques. Coprocultures were also done to identify the main strongylid genera affecting the horses. Eggs from the gastrointestinal nematoda Parascaris equorum, strongyles and Oxyuris equi were the only endoparasites observed in the faeces of the horses. Larvae of Trichonema and Cyalocephalus spp. (small strongyles) and Strongylus and Triodontophorus (large strongyles) were identified in the coprocultures. The silvopasturing horses had the highest prevalence of the helminth parasites. The percentage of horses passing ascarid eggs was significantly higher in pasturing horses younger than 3 years. The prevalence of strongyles was statistically greater in the oldest grazing equines. Mares reached the highest prevalence of helminth egg output. Our results showed that native horses kept under silvopasture had the highest prevalence of the ascarids, strongyles and oxyurids, possibly due to their exposure to contaminated grazing areas, lack of appropriate feeding and control of their health status. We conclude that silvopasture increases the presence of infection by gastrointestinal nematoda in wild horses, especially by strongyles. Suitable measures to control parasitic diseases affecting horses in silvopasture should be considered in those systems.
Publication Date: 2009-06-24 PubMed ID: 19632049DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.06.018Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research compares the rate of endoparasitic infections in two groups of Pura Raza Galega (PRG) horses, one reared in a silvopasture system and one managed in traditional farms. The study indicates a higher prevalence of parasite infections, including ascarids, strongyles, and oxyurids, in horses kept under silvopasture, possibly due to their exposure to contaminated grazing areas and inadequate healthcare management.
Study Overview
- The objective of this study was to assess the impact of silvopasture, a method of integrating livestock and woodland, on the rate of endoparasite infection in Pura Raza Galega (PRG) horses, a native breed from Spain.
- The subjects included in this research were divvied into two groups: one consisting of 483 PRG horses handled in a silvopasturing system, and the other, a control group of 72 PRG horses traditionally managed on farms.
Methodology
- The horses’ infection were evaluated based on their age and gender by analyzing individually collected fecal samples from each animal.
- The analysis methods used were coprological flotation, sedimentation, and migration techniques, along with coprocultures. These techniques allow for the identification and quantification of various endoparasites present in the horse’s gastrointestinal tract.
Findings
- The only endoparasites found in the fecal samples of the horses were eggs from the gastrointestinal nematode Parascaris equorum (ascarids), strongyles, and Oxyuris equi (pinworms).
- In addition, larvae of Trichonema and Cyalocephalus spp. (small strongyles) and Strongylus and Triodontophorus (large strongyles) were identified in the coprocultures.
- The horses managed under the silvopasturing system showed a significantly higher prevalence of these helminth parasites compared to the farm-reared ones.
Conclusion and Recommendations
- This research concludes that silvopasture increases the presence of infection by gastrointestinal nematodes in wild horses, especially strongyles.
- The researchers recommend the implementation of suitable measures, like providing comprehensive veterinary care and proper feeding, to control parasitic diseases affecting horses in silvopasture systems.
Cite This Article
APA
Francisco I, Arias M, Cortiñas FJ, Francisco R, Mochales E, Sánchez JA, Uriarte J, Suárez JL, Morrondo P, Sánchez-Andrade R, Díez-Baños P, Paz-Silva A.
(2009).
Silvopastoralism and autochthonous equine livestock: analysis of the infection by endoparasites.
Vet Parasitol, 164(2-4), 357-362.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.06.018 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Pathology Department, Epidemiology, Zoonoses and Parasitic diseases, Veterinary Faculty, Santiago de Compostela University, Campus Universitario, s/n, 27002 Lugo, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Feces / parasitology
- Female
- Helminthiasis, Animal / parasitology
- Helminthiasis, Animal / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Male
- Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
- Sex Characteristics
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Hernández JA, Vázquez-Ruiz RA, Cazapal-Monteiro CF, Valderrábano E, Arroyo FL, Francisco I, Miguélez S, Sánchez-Andrade R, Paz-Silva A, Arias MS. Isolation of Ovicidal Fungi from Fecal Samples of Captive Animals Maintained in a Zoological Park. J Fungi (Basel) 2017 Jun 2;3(2).
- Paz-Silva A, Francisco R, Rodríguez I, Francisco I, Cazapal-Monteiro CF, Arias MS, Suárez JL, Sánchez-Andrade R. Isolation of potentially useful antigens from cyathostomin third-stage larvae by using a fast protein liquid chromatography one-step method. Clin Vaccine Immunol 2011 Sep;18(9):1462-6.
- Hinney B, Wirtherle NC, Kyule M, Miethe N, Zessin KH, Clausen PH. Prevalence of helminths in horses in the state of Brandenburg, Germany. Parasitol Res 2011 May;108(5):1083-91.
- Fonseca JDS, Barbosa BB, Silva AP, Vázquez MSA, Cazapal Monteiro CF, Santos HA, de Araújo JV. Using Biocontrol Fungi to Control Helminthosis in Wild Animals: An Innovative Proposal for the Health and Conservation of Species. Pathogens 2025 Aug 5;14(8).
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