How It Works
Enter your horse’s most recent fecal egg count (EPG) and a start date. The planner classifies shedder status (Low under 200 EPG, Moderate 200–499, High 500+), sets treatment frequency (2–4 times per year based on shedder status), rotates drugs through 5 anthelmintic classes to prevent resistance, schedules FEC testing every 6 months to reassess shedder status, and schedules an annual FECRT to measure treatment efficacy (under 90% reduction indicates a resistance concern). Drug rotation groups: Group A includes Ivermectin (large/small strongyles, bots, ascarids) and Moxidectin (encysted small strongyles, bots). Group B is Fenbendazole (small strongyles larvicidal, ascarids). Group C is Pyrantel pamoate (small strongyles, ascarids, pinworms). Group D is Praziquantel combo (tapeworms).
Targeted Deworming
Calendar-based rotational deworming (treating every 8 weeks regardless of egg count) is outdated and drives anthelmintic resistance, the number one threat to equine parasite control. The modern approach recognizes that only 20–30% of horses in a herd are high shedders responsible for 80% of pasture contamination. Low shedders may only need 1–2 treatments per year. FEC testing identifies which horses need treatment and how often. To collect a sample, gather 2–3 fresh fecal balls (under 4 hours old) in a zip-lock bag, label with horse name and date, refrigerate, and deliver to your vet within 24 hours at a typical cost of $15–35 per sample. FECRT protocol: run FEC before treatment, then 10–14 days after treatment with the same technique; egg count reduction under 90% suggests drug resistance.
