While grazing from the ground or eating the hay, horses can accidentally catch worms, just like other pets and farm animals. Deworming of horses should happen regularly, at least twice a year, however, you should remember to always adjust deworming to your horse’s age and health.

What to consider when buying a deworming paste?

  • The active ingredient – check the contents of a deworming paste for key ingredients like fenbendazole and ivermectin. Moreover, before administering the paste check the dosage recommendations carefully or consult a veterinarian.
  • The administration – not all horses will be willing to receive an injection, therefore, consider other forms of administering the dewormed.
  • The taste – Your horse will swallow the paste more eagerly if it has a pleasant taste and smell.
  • The functioning of the paste – mild pastes won’t irritate the stomach walls; however, they may not get rid of all species of parasites.
  • Health condition – Take note whether the product you choose is safe for young horses, older horses or pregnant mares and stallions.

1. Farnam IverCare Paste

This product contains a concentrated composition with active ingredients so only one administration is needed to eliminate most of the parasites and larvae from the horse’s body. Additionally, thanks to the apple taste and convenient syringe, it’s easy to give the paste to the horse.

The syringe handle has a very convenient measuring scale, so you can easily give the right dose of the paste.

It’s advised to be cautious when giving this product since it’s quite strong and eliminates over 3 types of parasites at every stage of development (from larvae to adults).

Pros:

  • Convenient measuring scale
  • Apple taste
  • Effective against many types of parasites

Cons:

  • It doesn’t contain any specific information about choosing the dose for pregnant mares

2. Bimeda EquiMax

This product is packaged conveniently in a syringe, thanks to which it can be easily given orally. The paste can be harmful to horses under 4 weeks old but it’s safe for stallions and pregnant mares.

The product kills most parasites with the first dose; however, the dose should be chosen adequately to the horse’s weight.

The paste EquiMax is sold packaged in a set of 3, so it’s a convenient purchase if you have more than one horse.

Pros:

  • Packaged in a convenient syringe
  • Safe for pregnant mares
  • The paste is effective against many types of parasites

Cons:

  • Horses might not like the taste
  • Not safe for all ages

3. Ivermectin Paste Dewormer

This paste with a weight of 6,08g, should be given orally, but thanks to its apple taste, usually horses eat it without a problem. The dose is basically a concentrate, which can kill most of the parasites with a first dose.

The paste is quite strong, so you should choose the dose adequately to your horse’s weight.

The product is safe for horses of all ages and pregnant mares

Pros:

  • Can be used for horses of all ages
  • Apple taste
  • Safe for pregnant mares

Cons:

  • The smell can be unpleasant

4. Pfizer Strongid Paste Dewormer

This paste is one of the strongest on the market and kills even the most resistant parasites. The producer ensures the product is safe for young horses from 2 to 8 months.

It doesn’t matter if you have a pony, a draft horse, or a foal, this paste will prove to be effective for all horses. However, remember to choose the dose adequately to your horse’s weight and age. Choosing the right dose is easy, thanks to the convenient syringe with a scale that tells you how much product you should give depending on your horse’s weight.

Pros:

  • The paste is effective against many types of parasites
  • The product contains a convenient syringe
  • Safe for horses of all ages

Cons:

  • Horses might not like the taste

5. Intervet Safeguard Pellet Derowmer

If your horse doesn’t like products given to him in a syringe, then you should try this pellet dewormer. It can be easily given to a horse along with its food.

The producer ensures the product is safe for pregnant mares and young horses, so the pellets are extremely convenient if you’re deworming a herd of horses.

The product is effective against the most common horse parasites.

Pros:

  • Safe for pregnant mares and young horses
  • Made of natural ingredients (alfalfa)
  • Easy to give to horses

Cons:

  • It’s not effective against all types of parasites

6. Zoetis Quest Gel Derowormer

This product comes in a form of gel and should be given in a syringe straight into the horse’s mouth. This gel can kill all kinds of parasites and will even successfully get rid of parasite eggs from the horse’s body.

Gel, in comparison to the paste, dissolves instantly in the horse’s mouth, so a horse won’t be able to spit it out. Right after contact with saliva, the gel changes its consistency to one that is easy to swallow.

Pros:

  • Effective against many types of parasites
  • The gel form is easy for a horse to swallow

Cons:

  • Expensive 
  • It doesn’t contain any specific information about choosing the dose for pregnant mares

7. Panacur Paste Dewormer

This is another dewormer with an extra flavor; the bitterness of the product is masked with cinnamon and apple taste. The product is given in a convenient syringe. The paste kills all kinds of parasites; however, you should remember to give just the right amount by correctly choosing the dose.

This product is recommended for horses that have uncommon parasites.

Pros:

  • Kills even resilient parasites
  • Cinnamon-apple taste
  • Contains a convenient syringe

Cons:

  • It doesn’t contain any specific information about choosing the dose for young horses

Summary

Deworming pastes restore the digestive system to a healthy state and help get rid of parasites and its larvae. Administer the pastes regularly to ensure that your horse stays healthy.