The idea of your horse being infested with parasites is a disturbing thought, but it’s also a medical issue that can have serious consequences if not properly dealt with or prevented. Parasites pose a variety of health issues for our horses, who can be very susceptible to certain parasites depending on age, region, and other factors.
Cornerstone Equine Medical Services emphasizes the importance of preventing parasites. Though parasites can be a problem, many horses are over-medicated. In some regions, the environment is so harsh that eggs and larvae don’t survive long enough to infect other horses. We recommend annual testing, (a horse-side lab test–inexpensive and very accurate) will detect the presence of parasite eggs passed in feces. The incidence of parasitism in horses in Idaho is low, but resistance to anti-parasite drugs is high. Therefore, only actively infected horses are treated.