Modern parasite control has moved away from rotating dewormers on a fixed calendar toward a more targeted, testing-based approach that reduces overuse and slows the development of dewormer resistance.
Testing-Based Programs
Regular fecal egg counts identify which horses are naturally high or low shedders, allowing your vet to target treatment to the horses (and times of year) that actually need it, rather than treating every horse the same way.
Pasture Management
Removing manure from pastures regularly, avoiding overcrowding, and rotating grazing areas all reduce parasite exposure and complement a good deworming program.
Research shows most parasites are concentrated in a small percentage of "high shedder" horses in any herd — a key reason targeted testing works better than blanket treatment.
Herd Considerations
New horses joining a herd should be tested and, if needed, treated before turnout with the group to avoid introducing a heavy parasite load to established pastures.
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