Abstract
There is growing concern worldwide regarding anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites. In order to improve parasite control practices and reduce the selection for resistant parasites, baseline data are required. To describe the current parasite management and control practices used for racehorses. Cross-sectional survey. Thoroughbred and Standardbred trainers were surveyed online regarding demographics, parasite control methods, grazing management and quarantine, and the use of faecal egg counts (FEC), with questions stratified by horse type, i.e. racehorses (horses in training) and spellers (racehorses on a break from training), and industry (Thoroughbred and Standardbred). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations with FEC use. In total, 234 respondents completed the survey for an estimated response rate of 16%. In total, 50.5% of trainers treated horses on an interval treatment strategy and treated a median of 6 (interquartile range (IQR) 4-7) and 6 (IQR 4-8) times annually for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses, respectively. A total of 62.5% (130/208) of respondents reported seeking veterinary advice for deworming products, and FEC had been done by 20.1% (39/194) of respondents. The odds of a trainer doing FEC were 4 times higher if the trainer had consulted a veterinarian, compared with those that had not. This study has highlighted an industry-wide overuse of anthelmintic products and few trainers were using surveillance-based control strategies. The relationship between veterinarians and trainers should be explored further to enhance information dissemination and implement effective control strategies, to maintain horse health and delay the advance of anthelmintic resistance.
Highlights
The control of gastrointestinal parasites in horses has relied on regular treatment with anthelmintic products [1]
The frequent use of anthelmintics combined with inappropriate parasite management strategies and the limited choice of active ingredients has resulted in reports of anthelmintic resistance in horses in multiple species of parasites [1,2,3,4]
A previous study of parasite control practices in commercial stud farms in New Zealand identified a reliance on anthelmintic products and few practices identified that would delay the development of anthelmintic resistance on either Thoroughbred and Standardbred stud farms [8]
Summary
The control of gastrointestinal parasites in horses has relied on regular treatment with anthelmintic products [1]. The recommendation to reduce the reliance on anthelmintics and delay the advance of anthelmintic resistance, through the use of surveillance-based control programs has been suggested [1; 5]. Uptake of this new strategy has been slow, and the regular treatment of horses in the racing industry is still widely reported [6,7,8,9]. A previous study of parasite control practices in commercial stud farms in New Zealand identified a reliance on anthelmintic products and few practices identified that would delay the development of anthelmintic resistance on either Thoroughbred and Standardbred stud farms [8]. Similar studies have not been undertaken in Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand nor have any studies investigated practices in Standardbred racehorses
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
