Horses in a wild existence have no real exposure to internal parasites (worms) because they are in constant motion and do not graze over land where they have defecated. This is, of course, a clue to the line of sound management to reduce worm loads in horses. We must keep their environment clean and, ideally, remove all manure daily. Grazing and rotating with other species in the pastures is also helpful because the parasites are species specific in most cases.
Horses in a natural environment can actually develop “immunities” to parasites and a healthy digestive tract and metabolism can even repel the opportunistic organisms. So, the horse whose immune system is compromised or has digestive issues or metabolic troubles will be a chosen host of the parasites and the one being who will be further debilitated by the chemical de-wormers.
An ideal way to determine the need and dosing of a compound, whether herbal or chemical, is to have a fecal egg count done for the horse whose background is unknown or who has been neglected. A small amount of pure manure is suspended in isotonic liquid and smeared on a slide for the microscope. A series of squares are marked on the slide and the observer counts the worm eggs within each block. A formula is used to determine infestation.
With or without a “fecal egg count”, a regular program of feeding herbs that discourage parasites and support gut health is a wise practice. Other feed additives from nature can also assist in evacuation of the worms. There are also homeopathic remedies that work exceedingly well for horses with digestive issues on top of a parasite infestation.
With the herbs, feeding for 3 days before the full moon and 3 days after can have the strongest effect because the worms become “active” as the moon waxes.
Herbs with anti-parasite properties are wormwwood, garlic, thyme, pumpkin seeds, pau d’arco and olive leaf. Herbs with sulfur content are useful to keep the worms discouraged and garlic, turmeric and sea weeds are good sources of organic sulfur. Anise seed is a digestive aid added with the de-worming herbs or fed afterward to reduce flatulence. Ginger root in small amounts can prevent “griping” – simple stomach pain after treatments. Fenugreek seed fed in between “wormings” aids digestion and strengthens the stomach/intestine lining (so will colostrum).
Wormwood:
Artemisia absinthium – is a quite bitter herb that is a strong anthelmintic. With an affinity for removing roundworms (ascarids), it is a good choice for young horses who are often plagued by these. I grow wormwood and dry it. I feed the ground, dry herb, one level teaspoon per 1,000 pounds daily for the one week period as part of the herbal worming combination.
Thyme:
Thymus vulgaris – contains Thymol, a potent oil that kills heartworms. Thyme is effective against all parasites. It also contains phenol and is a good digestive aid. My Mother fed her dogs a pinch of thyme daily. She lived in our valley by the river and her dogs never got heartworm (with no chemical preventatives) – and they were tested every couple of years. I feed one teaspoon spoon daily per 1,000 pounds to a horse for one to three weeks.
Garlic:
Allium sativum – is not only a vermifuge but is “nature’s antibiotic” because it kills pathogens. Garlic can adversely affect the liver in large amounts over prolonged periods, especially given as oil. I feed the dry, granulated or fresh cloves. I add one teaspoon per 1,000 pounds per day to the worming combination that is fed for 5 to 7 days. When a horse has been exposed to a disease, I will feed one or two cloves of raw garlic daily for up to two weeks.
Pau D’Arco:
Tababuia avellandae – inner bark is used for many healing applications from yeast infections to cancers. It is very useful in a mixture for de-worming. Add the cut and sifted or powdered herb by the tablespoon (cut & sifted) or teaspoon (powder) per 1,000 pounds of horse’s weight per day. Pau D’Arco combines well for humans with Black Walnut, but we must NEVER feed Black Walnut to horses (and never use shavings from the tree); either will founder a horse.
Olive Leaf:
Olea europaea – the dry, ground leaves are used to boost the immune system (which also helps to repel parasites) and as an anti-parasite herb. I have made a paste of it with warm water to dose carefully to my dogs when they needed immunity boosted. I feed the powder by one teaspoon per 1,000 pounds per day in the horse’s de-worming mixture.
Pumpkin seeds work for humans as well as horses to repel internal parasites. The seeds are also chocked full of minerals that are healing to the digestive tract. When I do an herbal de-worming, I will add a handful of dry, plain pumpkin seeds to the daily dose in the bucket feed.
Sulfur is the mineral that aids in eliminating internal parasites. Herbs that are yellow in color (roots like turmeric, yellow dock and burdock) or bound with iodine (such as sea vegetables) will be good sources of organic sulfur. Garlic is also full of sulfur and needed in the regular herb mix program.
Always use the herbalist’s safety ways by dosing a small amount of the herbs while watching for adverse reactions. All beings are unique and can have individual sensitivities.
Good herbal de-wormer mixes can be purchased (such as Earth Song Ranch products) already prepared for use. Check ingredients to be certain the mix does not contain black walnut.
