Horse Wormer Alternatives

Worms can cause serious problems in a horse's digestive tract, especially if they are left untreated for long periods of time. Chemical worming products are given on a schedule and normally eliminate worm problems in horses, however chemical wormers can be costly and may have negative side effects, especially on horses that are not in good health. Natural and alternative wormers may be used to control worms with varying levels of success when given properly on a worming schedule. Discuss all worming options with your veterinarian before committing to a type of worming or product.

  1. Herbal Dewormers

    • Herbal worming products involve using a mixture of naturally occurring plants and herbs to create an inhospitable environment in the horse's digestive system. Effectiveness varies depending on the specific ingredients of the formula and how regularly the product is used. Some products are designed to be mixed in with the horse's feed on a regular basis while others are sold as pastes and can be used individually or added to a wormer rotation.

    Garlic

    • Garlic is widely used throughout the horse community for a variety of pest-control issues, including for fly and mosquito control. Proponents say that adding fresh garlic to your horse's feed regimen can help eliminate or limit worm problems.

    Limiting Exposure

    • Horse and pasture management play a large role in how horse owners need to handle worming. Some horses have a significantly higher risk of worm exposure than others. Keeping a small healthy herd on a large pasture or several large pastures will significantly decrease the likelihood of horses picking up worms. Every time you bring in new horses or your horses are exposed to areas where horses with worms have been, the need for worm protection increases. Horses kept on small acreage are more likely to contract worms because they will be forced to graze where infected fecal matter may have been deposited recently.

    Alternative Worming Considerations

    • When using an alternative worming program, check your horse's fecal worm count every couple of months to make sure the program is working effectively. Also consider your horse's unique individual needs. Some horses are more prone to worms or more adversely affected by side effects of wormers. The key to any worm management program is good management and vigilance on the part of the horse's owner.