Tapeworms

Tapeworms affect horses of any age. The life cycle of the Tapeworm is around 3 months, they are cream coloured growing in segments up to 10cm long with the segments containing eggs. Tapeworm eggs are passed out in the manure and eaten by a microscopic mite called forage mites, which live on the pasture. Horses become infected during grazing by eating the mites containing the immature Tapeworms. These mites can easily remain active in the winter by surviving in hay and bedding.  Therefore re-infestation can take place throughout the year.

The adult worms attach themselves at the junction of the small and large intestine. In large numbers Tapeworms can cause local irritation and thickening at the site of attachment. Tapeworms are a recognised cause of certain types of colic in horses and can cause severe internal problems. Upon laboratory analysis if your horse were found to have a high tapeworm burden, an appropriate treatment may be a double dose of Tetrahydropirimidines- Pyrantel Embonate Based Wormers every six months (April & October).