Pregnant Mares

🤰🐴 Worming Pregnant Mares — and What to Do When Baby Arrives
Strategic parasite control is essential for both the mare and the foal. During pregnancy and early life, timing, safety, and testing all matter more than ever.

✅ Do Pregnant Mares Need a Worming Schedule?

Yes — but it should be strategic, not routine.
🔬 Faecal egg counts (FECs) should guide treatment decisions.
This avoids over-treating, reduces resistance, and keeps both mare and foal healthier.

⛔ Wormers to Avoid During Pregnancy:

These are not recommended for use in pregnant mares:

• Moxidectin (e.g. Equest, Ultramox) — avoid, especially early in pregnancy

• Combination wormers (multi-active formulas) — always check labels and seek advice

✅ Wormers Considered Safe for Pregnant Mares:

✔️ Ivermectin
✔️ Fenbendazole
✔️ Pyrantel embonate
✔️ Praziquantel — generally safe later in pregnancy (for tapeworm control)

👉 Use these only when FEC results show treatment is needed

🧪 Re-test every 6–8 weeks, or as advised for your mare’s risk level.

⏰ Timing Tips for Mares:

• 🐣 Avoid worming in the final days before foaling (minimises stress)

• ❄️ Avoid unnecessary worming in early pregnancy, especially with high-risk actives

• 📅 Use FECs in early and mid-pregnancy to guide decisions

🐎 And Once the Foal Arrives…

Foals are especially vulnerable to parasites like ascarids (roundworms) — and they require a different approach than adult horses.

👶 What to Do for Foals:

✅ Begin monitoring from 6 weeks of age
Foals can begin picking up parasites early, especially in warmer seasons.

✅ Run the first FEC between 8–10 weeks of age
This is when roundworm eggs typically begin to show in manure — testing helps avoid blind worming.

✅ Treat only if needed, using a foal-safe wormer like fenbendazole or pyrantel embonate

✅ Repeat FECs every 6–8 weeks until the foal is about 6 months old
At that point, you can transition to an adult-style targeted worming plan.

👩‍⚕️ Need a plan for your broodmare or foal?

That’s what I’m here for. I can help you stay on top of parasite control using FEC testing and seasonally smart strategies tailored to Tasmania.

📩 Message me today.