Project WORMS (Working to Overcome Resistance and Make for a Sustainable
future): Horse owner survey of equine parasite control. Part 2.
Anthelmintic use
Abstract
Background : Anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites is
increasing. Frequent anthelmintic use accelerates selection for
resistance. Objectives : Investigate how horse owners currently use
anthelmintics to control intestinal parasites. Study design : Online
survey. Methods: Questionnaire distributed via practices, equestrian
organisations, etc., December 2021 to October 2022. Combination of
multiple choice, Likert scale and free text questions. Descriptive /
inferential statistics performed (Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS).
Results : 4232 useable responses. Owners of horses on livery yards
less likely to make worming decisions compared to those on private
properties (p<0.001); managers made decisions in 39.6% of
horses on livery yards; 60.7% of owners sought worming advice from
their veterinarian; 52.0% administered anthelmintics based on routine
faecal egg counts (FECs) / tapeworm serology result; 30.0% routinely
tested, but wormed at least once a year regardless of the results;
16.1% did not test, but wormed at least once a year. Owners were more
likely to administer anthelmintics based on test results if they sought
veterinary advice or were on a health programme (both p<0.001).
Of those who routinely wormed, 54.9% wormed once a year; 45.1% wormed
twice or more a year. Frequency of routine worming was higher if they
didn’t routinely test (p<0.001); 88.9% simultaneously wormed
all horses on the pasture. Moxidectin was the first choice for 82.2% of
owners who routinely wormed at least once yearly. Routine FECs were
performed by 84.7%, higher for those who sought veterinary advice
(89.3%, p<0.001). Tapeworm ELISAs were utilised by 40.8%,
higher for those on a health programme (68.1%; p<0.001); 58.5%
routinely treated for tapeworms regardless of test results. Main
Limitations : Selection bias. Conclusions : Owners apply moderately
good diagnostic-led parasite control practices, but still common to
regularly treat with anthelmintics (30.0% worming at least once a year
regardless of the FEC results).