| Treating for worms is not only expensive but it | | | | have more problems than older horses because |
| may be unnecessary. Why is it then that we are | | | | of the decreased ability to resist the worms. |
| frequently told to deworm (or worming as we | | | | Obviously, a farm where horses are frequently |
| say here in east Tennessee) every 3 to 4 | | | | coming and going, such as a boarding operation |
| weeks, some times even every 60 days? I call it | | | | should have more likelihood of exposure, but on |
| the "shotgun" approach - blast them out with the | | | | the other hand many of these facilities are |
| cheapest, strongest, most effective product you | | | | meticulously clean. Worm checks tell you what the |
| can as often as you can afford it! BUT - there is | | | | situation is, indiscriminant over worming tells |
| an alternative, worm check! Come on -- if they | | | | nothing. |
| don't have worms, they don't need to be | | | | It should go without saying that the healthier your |
| wormed! Considerable money can be saved, | | | | horses are the less likely they will have worms. |
| especially if you have 30 or so horses like we do! | | | | As a caution, if you find your horse has constant |
| Even more important, why bombard our animal | | | | problems with parasites or if he seem to be less |
| friends with chemicals if they don't need them? | | | | than par, consider a hair analysis to rule out |
| As a veterinarian who practices natural medicine, I | | | | mineral deficiencies or imbalances or even the |
| believe that less of anything is almost always | | | | presence of toxic metals. I can't believe how |
| better. I must admit that I didn't always think this | | | | much aluminum toxicity I am finding. My gut |
| way, but I guess one could say that I am on a | | | | feeling even is that a lot of the ''EPM " like |
| mission today to let people know that there are | | | | symptoms currently being seen are due to this |
| alternatives and that it is time to ask: Is that | | | | metal, either coming from the water or our |
| really necessary? | | | | polluted air. One tablespoon of mane hair analyzed |
| So what is a worm check? Basically, it is an exam | | | | could save your horses life or at the very least |
| of a small bit of fecal material, i.e. manure, under a | | | | prevent a lot of unnecessary medications. |
| microscope. It is cheap; it's easy and quite reliable | | | | Parasites simply shouldn't be a problem in a |
| except in very rare cases. Yes, but I have been | | | | healthy horse, but you wouldn't know if you aren't |
| told to deworm often and especially not to forget | | | | checking - would you? |
| to rotate the wormers. This rotation | | | | A positive worm check would require deworming, |
| recommendation exemplifies my point exactly. It | | | | but by now you probably have an idea that I am |
| confirms that worms are over time developing | | | | not too fond of chemicals. With that in mind I ask |
| resistance. As a result, stronger and stronger | | | | myself, " what was used before the advent of |
| wormers are needed. How strong will the | | | | chemicals"? My grandfather used to tell me that a |
| medication need to be five years from now when | | | | good chew of tobacco would worm a horse. I |
| the worms are wearing a suit of armor, and | | | | must even admit that I have tried it but |
| again, what will these super potent wormers do | | | | unfortunately to no avail - God rest his soul! But |
| to our horses? Now is the time to examine our | | | | what that did lead me to was a study of natural |
| procedures or suffer the consequences later. | | | | herbs that would work. Not only did I find the |
| If I sound like I am on a soapbox, understand | | | | herbs but also I have formulated them into a |
| that in today's drug oriented society you have to | | | | paste similar to what most people are already |
| be! A fortune has been spent convincing you that | | | | using. Instead of chemicals, however, it is a |
| if you don't frequently deworm, you are not doing | | | | mixture of garlic, cloves, and a few other plants |
| what is best for your animal. Granted, many | | | | that have been used for centuries. Forgive me |
| horses do have parasites and do need worming | | | | for the commercial, but I am so excited about it! |
| often but not EVERY horse, and not EVERY 2-3 | | | | Equally exciting is that we have come up with a |
| months! The reason we even have a parasite | | | | way for you to get a free parasite exam with |
| problem is that we have changed their | | | | each 6 tubes purchased so you no longer have to |
| environment from wide-open fields, as in the wild, | | | | guess about whether you need it in the first place |
| to 12 X 12 stalls. Even considered worse than | | | | OR whether or not it even works. A postal mailer |
| stalls are small paddocks and small pastures. This | | | | to our lab is even included for the thimble full of |
| is simply because stalls are picked daily, pastures | | | | manure needed for the test. So my final advice is |
| are not. The cleaner your operation and the more | | | | don't over worm. For the health of your horse |
| space you have on your farm, the less you can | | | | and generations to come WORM CHECK first! |
| deworm. Young foals and yearlings would tend to | | | | |