Polish researchers Jagla and Jodkowska of the department of horse breeding and riding at the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences conducted a study in alternative methods of combating of gastrointestinal parasites in horses.
The purpose of this review is to present the current state of research on combating equine parasite by natural methods. In a horse’s body there exists a wide diversity of parasites, of which strongyloides (Strongylidae) form a significant group of nematodes, which are dangerous for a horse’s health and life. Because of their short life cycle and problems with drug resistance to benzimidazole, eradication of nematodes is not effective. Consequently, combating Strongylidae should remain a priority in many situations including stables, pastures and horse management. Disinfection of stables should be carried out at least twice a year: before and after pasture season. To avoid infection by parasites that can be found in beddings, horses should be fed from hay nets, not from stable beds.
The appropriate management of horse grazing also seems to make a noticeable impact on the reduction of parasite invasion. It is necessary to put to graze horses of different ages or to graze horses with other animals like sheep, goats or cattle. This leads to the break-down of a parasite development cycle within a given animal species.
The right pasture management is essential to decrease the invasion of parasites and includes: liming, mowing down of refuse, draining of marshy grounds, faeces removal. In a pasture, plants with anthelmintic effect should be planted. There are several plants with deworming effect: Artemisia absinthium, Allium sativum, Juglans nigra, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita moschata, Artemisia vulgaris, Foeniculum vulgare, Hyssopus officinalis and Thymus vulgaris. Results from many studies conducted by different authors clearly point towards the anthelmintic action of fungi naturally occurring in the environment. Fungi attack nematodes being a source of nutrients for them. The efficacy of using Duddingtonia flagrans fungus in fighting against gastro-intestinal nematodes, including strongyloides in horses, has been especially emphasized. Unfortunately, the application of Duddingtonia flagrans in practice has many difficulties. These are connected with a shortage of ready to administer spore forms on the market and also with a registration of the product on the European market.
For the appropriate protection of both equine health and the surrounding environment, alternative methods of parasite extermination should become more often recommended. In order to decrease parasite invasion in the equine industry it is essential to: take care of stable hygiene, maintain recommended pasture management and use natural supplements against parasites.
-- ISES Conference Abstract
Photo © Dirk Caremans
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