The old and commonly used method of deworming was to deworm horses at least 2x or more per year, but this method has become obsolete due to resistance to dewormers. This is why it is nowadays very important to determine the degree of parasite infestation in each horse individually by parasitological examination and to target only those that the examination justifies.
The “selective treatment concept” is applied from 2020 onwards in Szépalma. As part of this strategy, adult horses will only be dewormed if a positive result of a previous faecal fecal examination justifies it.
The only exception to this is winter deworming (early in the year), which is justified as a safety measure for the health of our horses against the colonisation of large parasites of the large strongylids that cause colitis, e.g. Strongylus vulgaris. In winter, deworming can significantly reduce the risk of parasites spreading in the herd following the introduction of a new infection.
In this way we ensure the health of our horses, reduce unnecessary medication for them, and (at the same time) protect our environment from contamination with dewormers.
If you would like to learn more about this management strategy and our work with horses, you are welcome to visit us in Szépalma!