Is it okay to use wormers on pregnant mares?

[lucydales]

Is it okay to use wormers on pregnant mares?

I need to do my autumn broad spectrum/tapeworm worming on my lot and wondered if this is okay for the foalie?

Many thanks to those experienced peeps!

[zeldalithgow]

Lucy give your vet a ring or the wormer company, I'm sure that there are some you are better not to use

[harveydales]

That's useful to know - thanks Grace.

[Debbie]

Boy, that really is something to think about. Thanks for sharing all that info

[harveydales]

Thanks Evie, that is interesting reading.

I do wonder about horses running wild. Obviously they aren't wormed so would you expect a big loss of foals due to worm damage - a sort of survival of the fittest? Or just smaller animals which would partly explain why many breeds seem to be getting bigger today? I realise they would be roaming over larger areas in the wild and have access to a wide variety of plants which could make a difference.

Also, is there a symbiotic relationship between the horse and the worms as has been found to be the case in humans ie could a low burden of certain worms be of some benefit to the animal?

I'd never given it much thought, but it does make sense that a foal would instictively eat faeces to get the right bacteria/micro-organisms into its gut. So some one like me, who is very fastidious when it comes to poo-picking, might not be doing the foal any favours? Not that I breed or have any intentions of doing so, just interested - sorry for rambling on!

[lucydales]

Thanks for your (as ever) sound advice everyone! Evie, that was some post! Will talk to the vets.
Lx

[loopylou]

equest pramox you should NOT give to mares in foal
I think i am right to say you can give them Equitape and Eqvalan, which will cover you for everything in the autum and spring. Always, best to check the back of the package, just to be a 100% sure.