Equine Wormers and Vaccines

Equine wormers and vaccines are vital to your horse’s health and should be administered on a regular schedule. Although wormers vary depending upon a horse’s age, occupation, location and overall health, it is common to protect against several types of worms. Your vet can determine the correct worming and vaccination schedule for your horse.

  1. Administration

    • The majority of vaccinations are administered through injections with a hypodermic needle. Wormers can be administered in pellet form as a supplement to your horse’s feed or as a paste given orally via a syringe.

    Schedule

    • Horses can be wormed as often as every six to eight weeks. Vaccinations are typically given annually or biannually, often in the spring and fall.

    Effects

    • Your horse may be sore for one or two days after he receives a cycle of shots. Some wormers are known to cause diarrhea, a side effect that clears up in one to two days.

    Benefits

    • Both wormers and vaccinations are beneficial to your horse’s health and quality of life. Immunizations protect your horse against harmful, life-threatening diseases. Regular worming results in increased energy, better health and protection against parasites.

    Warnings

    • A horse that has not been wormed or vaccinated on a regular schedule is susceptible to diseases and parasitic infections that can seriously threaten his health and sometimes result in death. Because each horse is different, consult your veterinarian before starting a vaccination or worming routine.