When it comes to equine parasites, worms are not the only troublemakers for your horse.

Although roundworms and tapeworms make up a large percentage of parasites inside your horse. There is one class of intestinal pest that you need to give your attention to – botfly larvae. Other insects such as lice and mites can feed from your horse’s nutrients.  However, only bots have the capability of residing deep into the horse’s insides, sometimes seen as residing in clusters along the intestinal mucosa.

Horse owners have observed that in the middle of summer, horses gallop around the paddock to try and escape an annoying swarm of flies. If you happen to see an insect that looks much like a honeybee hovering around your horse’s legs, it may not be a bee but actually it’s an adult botfly searching for the perfect spot to deposit her eggs. Female botflies are commonly seen during warm, sunny days flying around a horse and trying to get the best chance to drop her “sticky eggs” on to the horse’s leg hair.

The Two major species

Botflies can be seen almost anywhere horses may be. Botflies usually deposit their eggs on the hairs on the horse’s jaw or the legs. Two major species are found in the US; the Gasterophilus nasalis and the Gasterophilus intestinalis. The eggs of G. nasalis will hatch on their own in about 5-6 days. Its larvae will crawl their way down to the chin until they reach the horse’s lips. On the other hand, female G. intestinalis lay their eggs on the shoulders and forelegs of the horse. They may be deposited far from their destination but with the assistance of the horse (such as in scratching with the use of the muzzle and teeth), the larvae will eventually find their way into the horse’s mouth.

Inside your horse, the G. intestinalis larvae may set up their residence in the non-glandular region of the stomach. On the other hand the G. nasalis larvae are usually found in the first few inches of the duodenum. In the late spring, the larvae mature and they lose their grip on the digestive linings, and they are passed out through manure, and then pupate. The cycle of the botfly begins once again at this point. Botfly seasons occurs throughout summer and fall and completely absent during winter.

Ivermectin dewormer

Though bots may not cause a serious damage to the horse, they can be a real threat to the overall health of your horse especially when they are left uncontrolled and when other equine parasites exist. Fortunately, horse owners do not need to fret because these infestations are easy to treat. Bots are best killed by Ivermectin dewormer when given at a right dose.

The use of Ivermectin for horses is an effective method in eliminating bots from your horse’s stomach. It is critical to give the right dose of the treatment based on the calculated weight of the horse. Giving an insufficient dose by underestimating the horse’s body weight may lead to incomplete bot elimination. For complete elimination of annoying bots in your horse’s stomach, use Ivermectin. Buy Ivermectin online from Abler for the most affordable and effective equine parasite treatment.

The use of Ivermectin for horses is an effective method in eliminating bots from your horse’s stomach.
The use of Ivermectin for horses is an effective method in eliminating bots from your horse’s stomach.