Don't rely blindly on a fecal examination

A fecal examination can be a good indication of the number of worms in your horse. Especially in the winter, a fecal examination is not reliable because worms are dormant. But even encapsulated worms are not always visible in the feces, as a fecal examination is a snapshot. So don't rely blindly on the results of a fecal examination and deworm preventively at least once a year with a broad-spectrum dewormer.

Pumpkin seeds and sainfoin

There are a number of ingredients that have a worm-expelling function and can be used against worms in horses.

• Pumpkin seeds: pumpkin seeds contain cucurbitacin, which has a paralyzing effect on worms in the intestines. This prevents the worms from attaching to the intestinal walls and they are expelled through the feces. Give pumpkin seeds in a 7-day course, a handful per day. Make sure to use only organic pumpkin seeds!

• Sainfoin: Sainfoin has a positive effect on the digestive system and has been scientifically proven in cattle, sheep, and goats to combat parasites. But sainfoin can also be used in horses, especially to reduce the infection pressure of red worms. Give sainfoin to the horse in a 4-week course, opting for a good quality product (such as Herbal Friends).

In addition to pumpkin seeds and sainfoin, there are also herbs that have a worm-expelling function, namely: thyme, wormwood, cloves, fenugreek, and turmeric. These herbs often work best in a mixture. One herb may have worm-expelling properties while another makes the digestive system unattractive to worms. Do not give these herbs for longer than 6-8 weeks in a row.

Bot fly larvae are stubborn

Bot fly larvae cling to the stomach wall, where they can be found in clusters. Unfortunately, bot fly larvae cannot be eliminated with natural remedies. Does your horse have those typical yellow eggs on its legs at the end of summer? Then it is likely that your horse has ingested bot fly larvae. In this case, always choose to deworm preventively once a year with a product that kills bot fly larvae.

Conclusion: you can control worms with natural deworming

It is possible to keep the infection pressure of worms in your horse low in a natural way. This can be done with various herbs and other ingredients such as pumpkin seeds and sainfoin. But don't forget to also clean out the stable well and keep the overall resistance of the horse high. The higher the resistance, the thicker the intestinal wall. Worms have more difficulty nesting in a thick intestinal wall.

Natural deworming alone is not sufficient, as unfortunately it does not prevent the nuisance of bot fly larvae. Therefore, choose to deworm preventively once a year with a broad-spectrum deworming paste to also control these. Preferably after the summer season in the fall or winter. In addition, fecal examination provides an indication of the infection pressure, but it always remains a snapshot.