Epizootological monitoring for intestinal nematodoses of horses of the equestrian and sports complex of SBTU
Authors: Mazannyi O. V. , Nikiforova O. V. , Antipov A. A. , Bulavina V. S. , Severin B. S. 
Published: February 2025

Quarterly antiparasitic treatments in horse breeding are an integral part of measures to preserve the health of ungulates. The pharmaceutical market has a sufficient number of drugs of a wide spectrum with anthelmintic effect, but rotation should be observed when using them. Increasing the intervals between deworming leads to contamination of the environment with invasive elements of helminths, and as a result - a sharp increase in the rate of infestation among horses. Stress factors and frequent movement of animals, including transportation to safe regions during martial law, influence the spread of helminthiasis among horses. Purpose of the work is to determine the importance of monitoring the epizootological situation regarding the spread of intestinal nematodes among horses in the prevention of helminthoses. Research on the horses of the Equestrian Sports Complex of the State Biotechnological University (Kharkiv Region) was carried out annually during the spring clinical examination from 2021 to 2024 (in 2022, the horses were evacuated). During the monitoring period, 117 samples of feces from horses were taken. Special studies were conducted using the standardized flotation method to determine the intensity and extensity of invasions. During 2022–2024 in the numerical composition of horses’ changes were taking place. In 2021, strongylidoses of the gastrointestinal tract were detected in 11 horses based on the results of the May coproscopic examination (n=32). Most of the infected animals were found among those who did not reach the age of 10-year-old (50%), among animals aged 11-20-year-old – only 10%, and among horses over 21-year-old of age, EI was 37.5%. In October 2021 (unscheduled examination), were found strongylidoses of the gastrointestinal tract in 13 horses (out of 32) (EI=40.6%). The largest number of infested animals was again found among those under 10-year-old (57.1%), among animals 11–20-year-old, 10% were found to be infested, and among horses over 21-year-old, EI increased to 50%. According to the results of the May coproscopic examination of horses (n=25) in 2023, strongylidoses of the gastrointestinal tract were detected only in 6 horses (EI=24.0%). Most infected animals were found among those under 10-year-old of age (38.5%), no infected animals were found among animals 11–20-year-old and among horses over 21-year-old EI decreased to 33.3%. Mixed parascarosis et strongylidosis invasion was diagnosed in 2-year-old foal. In April 2024 strongylidoses of the gastrointestinal tract by coproscopic examination were detected in 6 horses out of 28 (EI=21.4%). The most infected animals were found among those under 10-year-old (37.3%). 21.4% of infested animals were found among 11–20-year-old animals and no nematode eggs were found in the feces of horses older than 21-year-old. For Strongylidoses of the gastrointestinal tract were equally common sick both females and males: in females the infestation was detected 19 times but in males 17.