Horse Continuous Dewormers
Continuous Dewormers for Horses
A daily dewormer is about as low-effort as parasite control gets. Top-dress the grain, let your horse clean up the bucket, and a small dose of pyrantel tartrate goes to work every day instead of once every few months. Our founders were veterinarians running a mixed-animal practice in Marysville, Kansas, before starting Valley Vet Supply in 1985. Here's what we carry for continuous deworming and how a horse daily dewormer fits into a vet-guided plan.
How Continuous Dewormers Work
These are pelleted pyrantel tartrate products fed right along with the daily ration. Instead of clearing out a heavy worm load all at once, they work on the larvae your horse picks up while grazing. Both products below use the same 2.11% concentration and the same label rate of 1.2 mg of pyrantel tartrate per pound of body weight each day, which works out to about 2 oz for a 1,000 lb horse.
- Strongid C 2X (Double Strength) Continuous Feeding Horse Dewormer: Zoetis pellets with 2.11% pyrantel tartrate and a molasses and alfalfa flavor. Labeled to help prevent Strongylus vulgaris larval development and control large and small strongyles, pinworms, and ascarids. Sold in 10 lb and 50 lb pails, and one 10 lb pail covers a 1,000 lb horse for 80 days.
- PyrantelCare Daily Horse Dewormer: Farnam's 2.11% pyrantel tartrate pellets, top-dressed on the daily ration for continuous preventive deworming. Like Strongid C 2X, it's labeled for horses of all ages, including mares at any stage of pregnancy or lactation. Sold in 10 lb and 50 lb sizes.
Choosing and Using a Continuous Dewormer
Dosing by Body Weight
Dose is figured on body weight, so guessing costs you. Run a weight tape around the heart girth before you start, then follow the label rate of 0.5 oz per 250 lb of body weight, using the measuring cup that comes with the product. Both labels also call for a therapeutic dose of a larvicidal dewormer before a horse starts on daily pellets, so ask your vet which product to use. Feed horses separately if you can, so the boss horse doesn't eat a pasture mate's dose.
Pairing Daily Dewormers with Fecal Egg Counts
Neither label lists bots or tapeworms, so most horses still need a seasonal paste. Fecal egg counts show your vet which horses shed the most eggs, and a fecal egg count reduction test shows whether the daily product is still working, since both labels warn that parasites can develop resistance to any dewormer. Horses on crowded or shared pasture, where rotating pastures isn't practical, are common candidates for daily control. Round out the rotation with Horse Paste Dewormers or Horse Pelleted/Powder Dewormers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a daily dewormer instead of paste dewormers?
Usually not on its own. Pyrantel tartrate labels cover strongyles, pinworms, and ascarids, but they don't list bots or tapeworms. Most owners pair a continuous dewormer for horses with a paste dewormer at certain times of year, with the timing set by their vet.
Do I still need fecal egg counts if I feed a daily dewormer?
Yes. A fecal egg count shows whether your horse is shedding many eggs or few while on the program, and it's the simplest way to catch a product that isn't doing its job. Many vets suggest testing at least once a year. Collect a fresh sample, ideally within a few hours of passing, and keep it cool until it reaches the lab.
Is it safe to feed a continuous dewormer to pregnant mares?
Valley Vet's Strongid C 2X listing describes it as safe for all horses, including pregnant mares, stallions, and foals. The PyrantelCare label likewise allows use in mares at any stage of pregnancy or lactation and notes that stallion fertility isn't affected. Check the label on whichever product you choose, and let your vet know your mare is in foal before you change her deworming program.
