A questionnaire study of parasite control in Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses in Australia.
Authors: Wilkes Edwina J A, Heller Jane, Raidal Sharanne L, Woodgate Robert G, Hughes Kristopher J
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Parasite Control Practices on Australian Studs Anthelmintic resistance represents a significant threat to equine health globally, yet current parasite management strategies on Australian Thoroughbred and Standardbred studs remain poorly documented. Wilkes and colleagues distributed an online questionnaire to 300 studs, receiving 75 responses, and gathered data on grazing management, anthelmintic selection, non-chemotherapeutic control measures, and faecal egg count (FEC) monitoring practices. Macrocyclic lactones dominated treatment protocols in mares and foals, with fewer than 5% of respondents employing targeted treatment regimens, whilst uptake of pasture hygiene practices proved inconsistent; concerning gaps also emerged in practitioners' awareness of FEC reduction tests as tools for surveillance of drug efficacy, despite 97% recognising anthelmintic resistance as important. The findings reveal a heavy dependence on blanket anthelmintic use that risks accelerating resistance development, particularly through continued reliance on macrocyclic lactones. Practitioners would benefit from greater engagement with evidence-based, integrated parasite control strategies—including strategic dosing based on FEC thresholds, improved pasture management, and regular monitoring protocols—to preserve anthelmintic effectiveness and support longer-term equine welfare outcomes.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Current parasite control on Australian stud farms relies too heavily on anthelmintics; adopt integrated strategies combining targeted treatment based on faecal egg counts with improved pasture management to reduce selection pressure for resistance
- •Macrocyclic lactone overuse is driving anthelmintic resistance development; work with your veterinarian to implement risk-based treatment protocols and monitor drug efficacy through faecal egg count reduction testing
- •Despite recognising anthelmintic resistance as important, many studs lack awareness of evidence-based surveillance methods; prioritise faecal egg count testing and non-chemotherapeutic practices (pasture rotation, manure removal, grazing management) as core elements of sustainable parasite control
Key Findings
- •Only 25% response rate (75/300 studs) completed the questionnaire on parasite control practices
- •Macrocyclic lactones were the most commonly used anthelmintics in mares and foals, with less than 5% of respondents using targeted treatment regimens
- •97% of respondents acknowledged anthelmintic resistance as important, yet few were aware of faecal egg count reduction tests for monitoring drug efficacy
- •Pasture hygiene practices were implemented variably across studs, indicating inconsistent non-chemotherapeutic parasite control strategies