The Relationship Between Tapeworms and Colic

The word colic strikes fear into the hearts of almost all horse owners and the threat of anything that could be related to colic is something horse owners dread--and with good reason. Colic has been identified as one of the leading causes of death in horses. In one study, 80% of impaction colic cases examined were associated with tapeworms. Other findings from that study showed 22% of spasmodic colic cases had concurrent tapeworm infections.

With the link between tapeworms and colic, it can be critical for horse owners to use products in their deworming programs that control tapeworms. Horse owners need to consider incorporating a product such as one with praziquantel, which specifically controls that particular parasite. Caution should be used when using generic dewormers as there are no generics that contain praziquantel to control tapeworms.

Besides their association with colic, tapeworms can also lead to other health concerns including but not limited to recurring diarrhea, progressive weight loss, and anemia. Understanding the tapeworm lifecycle, illustrated in the picture below, can help horse owners determine the best time to treat. In general, veterinary recommendations are to treat for tapeworms in the spring and the fall, but horse owners should consult their veterinarians for more specific parasite treatment protocols and a deworming program that best fits their farm health plan.

Because tapeworms pose a threat to horses' overall health and there is no reliable fecal diagnostic test for tapeworm infections like there are for other parasites, horse owners need to be vigilant about treating for them. And they should be sure to treat with a product that has been proven to be effective against tapeworms. So ask your veterinarian about the potential for these parasites and develop a sound deworming program that will work best for your equine operation.

Managing Your Horses During the Winter Months

The winter months can be a harsh environment for your horses and your wallet. With the depletion of forages on your pastures by now most people have had to increase feed and hay consumption for their horses. As prices continue to increase on feed more horse owners are relying on hay to get them through the winter. To learn how to stretch your horses hay consumption through the winter months and continue to have a good body condition score on your horse take a look at this link: http://animalscience.ag.utk.edu/horse/pdf/StretchingYourHorseHaySupply_1-30-03.pdf

Written by Jared Harrell

New Year, New Horse - Why not Adopt?

Thinking about getting a new horse?  You may want to consider adopting one.  Just like the millions of dogs and cats in need of homes, there are horses that for one reason or another have ended up homeless.  Here are a few things to consider when trying to decide whether to add to your herd or not:

• Are you ready to make a life-long commitment to the animal?
• Can you afford it?
• Do you have time for it?

If you answered YES to all of the above questions, then ask yourself:

How do I intend to use the horse? Showing, pleasure riding, hunting, etc. Is the horse that you are considering able to perform in this capacity?  

 

Is the horse a good match for my skill level? If possible, can you find out the history of the horse? It may have been hurt or upset at some point and unwilling to perform certain tasks.

Adopting an animal of any species is not a decision to be entered into lightly. Some of these horses are owner surrenders that could no longer be cared for due to health or monetary issues with the owner themselves. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these animals. Some horses were confiscated by law enforcement because they were not taken care of. There are some places where you can even adopt a wild horse that was rounded up to control the wild population; however, unless you are a VERY seasoned horse owner, this should not be your first choice.
When you make the decision to adopt, there are several places that you can start to look for adoptable horses. To begin your search for the perfect addition, you can simply search Google for “horse sanctuary in NC” or “adoptable horses in North Carolina”. There are so many to choose from, all over the state. Most of these sanctuaries have pictures and details about each horse and have contact information so that you can set up an appointment to visit and check the horses out in person. If you think a horse could be a fit for you, don’t be afraid to ask them about a “foster program” where you can take the horse home for a trial basis to see if it’s going to work on a permanent basis.
If you need more assistance, contact your local Livestock Agent. They may be able to put you in touch with some of these rescue organizations or answer any other questions that you have about horses and adopting.