To any animal in general and horses in particular, worms are indeed a BIG issue. They can seriously influence the health of your four-legged friends such as bloating, weight loss, etc.
Do you know that if you keep your equines on a frequent deworming schedule by using the best horse wormer, you will limit the chance of infestation?
Follow us to find the answer now!
Best horse wormer reviews: Top 5 of 2023.
1. Ivermectin Paste Dewormer
If what you need is a good wormer for all horses, the Ivermectin Paste Dewormer from Durvet is the best choice. Not only is it safe for broodmares but also stallions and young foals.
Thanks to the appearance of Ivermectin, Anthelmintic, and Biocide, all the worms, and bots that can affect your horses badly will be removed effectively. And then horses can easily and quickly reach their full potential.
Since this product comes with a subtle apple flavor, it’s perfect for most horses who aren’t keen on traditional products. If they don’t spit out, more wormer will enter them to expand the effect.
PROS
- Works great after the first 48 hours
- Says goodbye to lots of worms and bots
- Easy to administer with the paste gel
- Pleasant flavor
- Safe to use on all kinds of horses
- Affordably priced
CONS
- Not work with the mites
2. Merial Zimecterin Gold – Best Horse Wormer for Tapeworms
Tapeworms are known as parasitic worms that often happen in spring and fall. And in case you are dealing with this issue, be quick to consider the Merial Zimecterin Gold Dewormer Paste.
With the added praziquantel, this horse wormer removes tapeworms effectively. Of course, it gets rid of many internal parasites well with a single dose. Make sure to read a complete list of parasites that this product can combat on the box.
One more significant thing is that this one-time treatment can treat horses with up to 1250lb body weight.
But KEEP IN MIND that it is for oral use in horses only.
PROS
- Great horse wormer for spring treatment
- Good for dealing with tapeworms
- Works well with a 1250lb horse
- Vet recommended
CONS
- The syringe is a bit hard to use
- The taste is unfavorable
3. Bimeda Pfizer Equimax – Best for Spring
Another best horse wormer for spring on our list is the Pfizer Equimax Horse Wormer.
This is an efficient single-dose dewormer that will prevent all internal parasites from attacking your horses, including tapeworms. Since it is FDA-approved, you’re guaranteed not to get any side effects like other products.
As compared to the Merial Zimecterin Gold Dewormer above, this product offers a simple syringe that is easy to maneuver. It even treats horses with 1320lb body weight. Sounds great, right?
Depending on how big your herd is, you can select suitable tubes from 1 to 12. But since this equine wormer is good, you can buy more to save money and then leave some for the next time.
Check the in-depth Equimax Horse Wormer Review here!
PROS
- Works on tapeworms effectively
- No side effects
- Treats a 1320lb horse well, more than other products
- Offers different sizes to buy
- FDA certified
- Made in the USA
CONS
- Most horses dislike the taste
4. Durvet Pyrantel Paste – Best for Pinworms
If your main aim is to find the best horse wormer for pinworms only, the Durvet Pyrantel Paste Wormer is what you should consider at this time.
Pinworm eggs are often laid around the anus area of your horses, not in the manure. Importantly, it is hard to see.
So, this product with the appearance of pyrantel will help you remove not only pinworms but also roundworms in horses effectively.
Since it is made from Durvet, you’re guaranteed to use it for all types of horses. You even apply it to pregnant mares up to 1 month before their foaling date. It, of course, is safe for 2-month foals.
One more wonderful thing is its apple flavor which most horses prefer to enjoy. Give it to them and welcome the excellent results!
PROS
- Ideal for eliminating pinworms
- Works effectively and quickly
- Safe to all horses
- Good flavor
CONS
- A bit pricey
5. Bimectin Ivermectin Paste – Best Budget Horse Wormer
You need to get rid of pinworms, but your budget is limited.
Instead of opting for the product above, you can consider the Bimectin Ivermectin Paste Horse Wormer. The reason why this equine wormer is cheaper is the appearance of Ivermectin.
This popular medication can control pinworms, ascarids, lungworms, intestinal threadworms, hairworms, and bots well. Of course, it is also safe for all horses from breeding stallions to pregnant mares and foals.
And just use a single dose and then you can treat a 1250lb horse well. Hence, it’s cost-effective for your money.
PROS
- Works effectively with no side effects
- Suitable for all types of horses
- Treats a 1250lb horse with a single dose efficiently
- FDA approved
- Low price
CONS
- A bit sticky
A step-by-step deworming technique for your horses
Deworming is a routine and worry-free practice that often takes place several times per year.
But some claim that it is hard to deworm their horses. If so, they might have had a bad experience, or they don’t like the taste of the horse wormer.
What should you do? In addition to choosing the best horse wormer
First of all, you should avoid doing some wrong actions.
For example, never sneak up on the horses and jam the wormer product in their mouth. Or tighten the halter and jam it because you will make them defensive.
Besides, avoid approaching them and stick the syringe like a predator. Then they might stick it back in your face.
Hence, a horse that is good for deworming needs to stand still with his head down, and body laid back and willingly accept the product.
It is because he recognizes that you are not trying to hurt him. And this makes him feel more comfortable with deworming.
And now, down here to learn a step-by-step technique to deworm your horses!
Step 1
The first and foremost thing is to desensitize the air space surrounding the horse’s head.
Start standing on his left side and wave an empty syringe back and forth over his head. Make sure to muzzle him and keep it 8 inches away.
If he starts keeping his head still, stop waving, then retreat and rub his head with the other hand. After that, repeat this step until his head is still for the whole time you are moving the syringe.
In case the horse feels relaxed, you can continue to the next step.
Or stop it.
Step 2
Rub an empty deworming syringe all over the horse’s body, starting from his withers and then neck and jaw.
If he moves away from you or throws his head, rubs until he relaxes. After that, you need to retreat.
Next, continue applying the approach-and-retreat method on his face and around his muzzle. When he feels comfortable, retreat the syringe and rub his head with your hand.
Step 3
Coat the syringe with something sweet such as sugar, honey, or molasses. This makes the horse accept it in his mouth with ease.
You need to stand on his left side and ease the syringe into the corner of his mouth. If he throws his head when it is inside his mouth, raise your arms. Or if he steps backward, you have to move back with him.
When the horse stands still and feels comfortable by lowering his head, you should remove the syringe and rub his face.
Repeat this step until he stands still all the time.
Step 4
Fill the empty syringe with the honey, wave, and rub it around the horse’s nose to make sure that he is desensitized to it. After that, put it in his mouth and slowly let him lick the honey.
This makes him think that whatever is in the syringe tastes good. And remember to repeat this step for several days.
Step 5
If the horse accepts the syringe in his mouth, you now deworm him with the real product.
Don’t forget to put a sweet coating outside the syringe before placing it in the corner of his mouth and emptying it. Wait for him to digest and follow up with the honey.
Make sure to leave him with a definite taste in the mouth, or the last thing in his mind is a foul taste only.
Step 6
Continue giving the honey in the next three or four days. This reminds him deworming isn’t a bad experience.
And always desensitize him by waving and rubbing the syringe surrounding his nose before putting the honey in his mouth.
Step 7
For the next scheduled deworming, you should deworm the horse with honey once a day for four days. Then repeat the steps above to offer him a positive experience.
FAQs about horse deworming and the best horse wormer
1. How do horses get worms?
Horses often get worms when came out of the pasture with other horses that have or had parasites. Additionally, contaminated fields are ideal places for them to get in touch with parasites.
Or the pasture, itself, is a breeding ground for larvae and egg contamination and the worms through manure. And when your horse eats grass here, he will get infected with parasites.
That’s why you need to check for the appearance of parasites frequently before a full infestation might come.
2. How to know whether horses have worms?
The fact is that it is not easy to check whether there might be something happening in your horses’ health. Although they could appear to be in good shape, they might get an invasion by parasites unexpectedly.
Here are some common symptoms that you should pay attention such as:
- Weight loss
- Loss of condition
- Lack of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Dull coat
- Colic
- Lethargy
But the best way to examine if your horses have worms is to have the veterinarian do a fecal egg count and blood test.
These standard ways help to determine whether there are parasites as well as adult worms living in your equines’ intestines. They also allow you to know how bad the pasture where your horses graze includes active infestations.
3. Which key parasites should you notice at particular times of the year?
Worms can seriously influence the health of any horse.
Do you know you should target particular parasites at certain times of the year?
Let’s show a general worming plan below!
Autumn (from September to October)
You need to perform a saliva test to check for tapeworms. If your horses get a positive result, you need to eliminate tapeworm with a worm including Praziquantel, or an increased dose of Pyrantel.
Winter (from November to February)
This time is ideal for getting rid of encysted larval stages of redworm and botfly larvae by using a Moxidectin product. Or you can use an increased dose of Fenbendazole, but REMEMBER that it doesn’t work well on botfly larvae.
Spring (from March to April)
You need to test again for the appearance of tapeworm. If it happens, continue using a wormer product including Praziquantel or an increased dose of Pyrantel.
During this time, you should target roundworms as well.
So, a combination of wormer will be nice.
Summer (from May to August)
You have to perform FEC (Fecal Egg Count) and worm. If anything occurs, please apply Pyrantel or Fenbendazole.
Wrapping up
Preventing your beloved four-legged friends from parasites is essential for their good health. And performing regular deworming with the best horse wormer is an excellent way to keep them in great condition.
If you need a single dose wormer to suit all your kinds of horses and work great after applying, the Ivermectin Paste Dewormer from Durvet is ideal.
With the appearance of active ingredients, all the worms and bots will be eliminated well. More importantly, the pleasant taste makes your horse acceptable with ease.
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