Choosing a Horse Dewormer Pack
Read up on horse dewormer packs, recommended horse deworming schedule, and more

Did you know there are more than 150 species of internal parasites that can infect horses? Some of the most common include: large strongyles, small strongyles, roundworms, pinworms, hairworms, stomach worms, bots, encysted small strongyles and tapeworms. When left untreated, worms in horses cause critical damage to their vital organs, impair growth, hinder performance and even cause colic.
When to Deworm a Horse
First things first: Work with your veterinarian to perform a fecal egg count (FEC) test, which will help determine your horse’s level of parasite burden and guide you on the frequency of deworming treatments needed to keep them healthy.
American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) parasite control guidelines recommend deworming adult horses when parasite levels can be at their highest, during the spring and fall. There are, however, situations requiring horses to be dewormed more than twice yearly, such as a horse being deemed a high-shedder (>500 eggs per gram), or if deworming a young horse or foal.
A number of elements can contribute to higher levels of parasite shedding, requiring more treatments, such as:
Deworming Adult Horses
Horses deemed low shedders (0 to 200 EPG) should be dewormed twice a year in the spring and late fall/early winter. This convenient Zoetis Annual 2X Horse Dewormer Pack includes Quest for April 1 timing and Quest Plus for Nov. 1 timing. Moderate shedders (200 to 500 EPG) should be dewormed three times a year, with the same schedule as above but with an additional late spring/early summer treatment with Ivermectin.
Deworming High-shedders and Young Horses
High shedders (>500 EPG), yearlings, and 2-year-olds should be dewormed four times a year. A convenient one year horse wormer pack is available from veterinarian-founded Valley Vet Supply. To best care for high-risk horses, consider the Annual 4X Horse Dewormer Pack. The dewormer pack was developed by the Valley Vet Supply Technical Service Veterinarian team, with guidance from the AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines, and offers young horses and horses deemed high-shedders a comprehensive, convenient pack to help ensure horse health and reduced parasite burden.
With this convenient yearly horse wormer pack, you can control parasites in yearlings, 2 year-olds, and high shedders. The package contains four dewormers, directed to be used as follows:
March 1: Duramectin June 1: Duramectin Sept.1: Duramectin Dec. 1: Zimectrin Gold
Deworming Foals
Foals are even more susceptible to parasites than adult horses, making their protection against them all the more critical, and frequent. Ascarids, also known as roundworms, are their greatest concern, as ascarids quickly impact the young foal’s immune system, causing respiratory challenges, stunted growth, lethargy, and even colic.
Treat foals against parasites with this convenient Annual Foal Dewormer Pack. Developed by the Valley Vet Supply Technical Service Veterinarian team, with guidance from the AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines, the package contains six dewormers for use as follows:
2 months of age: Anthelcide 4 months: Pyrantel 6 months: Anthelcide 8 months: Zimecterin Gold 10 months: Duramectin 12 months: Duramectin
Additional Tips for Deworming Horses
Find pictures and descriptions about worms in horses to best identify your horse’s risk. To continue learning, view this horse wormer Q&A.