A newly published scientific paper brings together international experts to examine parasite control guidance for horses worldwide.
For years, horse owners and prescribers have navigated a complex and often conflicting landscape when it comes to equine parasite control. Recognising this challenge, researchers and regulators across the globe have been working to establish clear, evidence-based guidelines to support responsible and sustainable parasite management.
In a landmark gathering at the 2024 International Equine Infectious Disease Conference in Deauville, France, authors of national and regional parasite control guidelines from the USA, UK, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia and Europe met to compare approaches and align recommendations.
The newly published paper, “Global equine parasite control guidelines: Consensus or confusion?” co-authored by Martin K. Nielsen and a team of international experts, explores the outcomes of this collaboration. It highlights broad agreement among countries on key principles, most notably the importance of using a surveillance-based strategy and testing for anthelmintic resistance as a core part of best practice.
While all guidelines support strategic treatment based on diagnostics, regional differences do exist. These include varied approaches to controlling parasites like Strongylus vulgaris, cyathostomins, ascarids and tapeworms, and differences in anthelmintic availability, with products being prescription-only in many European countries, but available over the counter in Australia and the USA. The availability of diagnostic tools also influences specific recommendations across countries.
One critical finding is that while the science is aligning, the real challenge now lies in effective communication. Making these recommendations meaningful and accessible for those on the ground, including vets, pharmacists, SQPS, yard managers and horse owners, must be a top priority for the future.
Global equine parasite control guidelines: Consensus or confusion?
Author list: Martin K. Nielsen, Alison Pyatt, Jodie Perrett, Eva Tydén, Deborah van Doorn, Tina H. Pihl, Jennifer S. Schmidt, Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Anne Beasley, Ghazanfar Abbas, Abdul Jabbar.
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