Strongylids in domestic horses: Influence of horse age, breed and deworming programs on the strongyle parasite community.

The study investigates how age, breed and deworming programs of domestic horses affect the community of strongylid parasites in these animals. An extensive collection of 82,767 specimens was gathered and identified to species level, leading to interesting findings about how these factors influence the population of this specific class of parasite in horses.

Methodology

• The research involved 197 horses of different ages (5 months to 22 years) and numerous breeds from 15 farms practicing varying deworming programs.
• Strongylid parasites were amassed in large numbers post-deworming activity with a macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic known as “Univerm” (containing 0.2% aversectin C). These were subsequently identified by species.
• Multivariate regression models with dummy variables were employed to gauge the effects of age, breed, farm type and deworming programs on both the number of eggs shed per gram of feces, or EPG value, and the strongylid community.

Key Findings

• Out of 33 collected strongylid species, the highest count was found in young horses between 1.5 to 4 years while the lowest observed in older horses aged above 16 years.
• Foals, who were less than a year old, had a significantly higher EPG value compared to older horses.
• The research model revealed significant effects of the number of strongylids and farm type, while effect of age was on the cusp of significance.
• Horses from farms with sparse or no deworming procedures had a higher count of strongyle eggs compared to horses from farms with regular deworming actions.
• Thoroughbreds, Ukrainian Saddlers, and Russian Racers had significantly higher EPG values than non-breed horses.
• The studies showed a decline in infection by large strongyles in foals and old horses compared to other age groups of horses.
• Species of strongylids varied with age, for instance, foals and young horses are infected by species like Triodontophorus and Strongylus vulgaris, whereas S. edentatus and S. equinus infections are common in horses older than 1.5 years.
• Nosignificant alterations in proportions of separate strongylid species related to age was observed.

Conclusion

• The study draws the conclusion that frequency of anthelmintic treatments exerts a wider impact on horse infections with strongylids and the illness’s community structure than intrinsic elements such as age and breed.

Such illuminating insights may prove crucial for the development of effective deworming strategies and making informed decisions considering the breed and age of the horses.