Home
Search Our Site
Parasite Resistance
Equine Colic
Newsletter Signup
Horse Care
Horse Health
Horse Diseases
Horse How To
Horse Fencing
Horse Nutrition
Horse Pasture
Horse Shelters
Our Store
In Memorium
Racehorse Rehab
Find Articles
Horse Care Blog
About Us
Links

Equine Pinworms: Ick.


Equine pinworms aren’t as dangerous as other, more resistant parasites, but they do cause intense anal itching. Needless to say, horses don’t enjoy this. If your horse is rubbing his tail and you're seeing broken tail hairs and bare patches around the tail, suspect pinworms.

Pinworms enter your horse via contaminated water, grain, hay or grass. Young worms mature in the large intestine in three to four months. Adult worms crawl part way out of the anus to deposit their eggs on the adjacent surface. The eggs hatch outside of the horse's body, fall to the ground and wait for their next host.

Female pinworms make their egg-laying journey under cover of night, so you may not see any worms when you horse's anal area. To test your horse for pinworms, your veterinarian will use a clear tape to determine if pinworm eggs are present.

Most dewormers will end the pinworm problem very effectively. Learn a handy technique to help you administer horse dewormer here.

Tip: Use paper towels or disposable "wipes" for cleansing the dock area. Sponges can harbour eggs and the infection.

Return From Equine Pinworms To Horse Diseases


footer for equine pinworms page