Anthelmintic Strategies for Equine Parasite Management
Summary
Control of gastrointestinal nematodes in horses has historically centred on routine, whole‐herd administration of broad‐spectrum anthelmintics. Overreliance on repeated treatments has driven widespread anthelmintic resistance in key parasite species, most notably small strongyles (cyathostomins) and the equine roundworm Parascaris equorum. Modern approaches favour integrated pest management, combining targeted selective treatment based on individual faecal egg counts, strategic treatment intervals that preserve refugia, pasture hygiene measures and, where feasible, biological control or phytotherapeutics. Advances in diagnostic sensitivity and population‐level modelling now enable bespoke deworming plans that consider seasonal transmission patterns, age‐related parasite burdens and farm‐specific risk factors. Research into novel compound classes and alternative control agents seeks to diversify the anthelmintic arsenal, while management strategies such as twice‐weekly removal of droppings and mixed‐species grazing aim to reduce pasture infectivity. This multifaceted paradigm underpins global efforts to sustain equine health and mitigate economic losses arising from parasitic disease.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Anthelmintic Strategies for Equine Parasite Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in anthelmintic strategies for equine parasite management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Anthelmintic resistance: The heritable reduction in sensitivity of parasite populations to a drug class, resulting in reduced efficacy at recommended dosages.
Faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT): A quantitative assay measuring percentage reduction in parasite egg counts in faeces before and after treatment, used to assess anthelmintic efficacy.
Refugia: The proportion of parasite population not exposed to treatment, maintained to dilute resistant genes and slow resistance evolution.
Cyathostomins: A group of small strongyle nematodes that infect the caecum and colon of horses, notable for arrested larval development and high prevalence worldwide.
References
- Deworming programs for horses in the United States: past, present, and future. Animal Frontiers (2024).
- Moringa oleifera as a Natural Alternative for the Control of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Equines: A Review. Plants (2023).
- Patterns of variation in equine strongyle community structure across age groups and gut compartments. Parasites & Vectors (2023).
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.