[Studying the faeces for the presence of parasites in horses and ponies (author’s transl)].

The article studies the prevalence of parasites in horses and ponies by analyzing their faeces. It found a widespread presence of various types of parasites in the animals, with observable differences in parasite types based on the age of the animal and the month of the sample collection.

Research Methodology

• The study involved an analysis of 3,791 faecal samples from horses and ponies taken to the Veterinary Medicine faculty, in Utrecht.
• The samples were scrutinized for the existence of parasites and the findings were classified according to the age of the pony or horse, and the month when the faecal sample was received and examined.

Findings on Parasites in Horses and Ponies

• The results showed a significant presence of various types of parasites. Strongylus-type eggs were found in 57.3% of the samples, Parascaris equorum in 6.1%, Oxyuris equi in 1.2%, Dictyocaulus arnfieldi in 0.2%, Anoplocephala in 2.5% and Eimeria leuckarti in 0.3%.
• Eggs of Strongyloides westeri were found to be present in a whopping 56.4% of the foals under six months, and in 12.3% of those in the 6-12 month range.
• Eggs of Fasciola hepatica were noticed in 0.6% of horses and ponies over twelve months of age.

Seasonal Variation and Age-specific Findings

• The highest proportion of faecal samples containing Strongylus-type eggs was recorded in August (65.2%). The proportion was 52.4% and 50.7% in April and October respectively.
• Certain parasites like O. equi, D. arnfieldi and E. leucarkti were not observed in horses and ponies over ten years of age. However, P. equorum eggs were found in animals even up to fifteen years of age.