Dynamics of strongyles invasions in a year-long cycle in primitive Polish horses bred in alcove-grazing.

摘要

The aim of this study was to compare the course and dynamics of strongyle invasions in a year-long cycle in primitive Polish horses of different ages and sexes from one breeding farm. The study was carried out in 15 mares, 5 stallions, 6 geldings, 17 young mares (1.5-2 years old) and 14 colts (the same age as the mares). All the animals were treated twice with anthelminthics: first in December 2003 with Equimax and second in May 2004 with Abamitel Plus. Samples of faeces were taken at monthly intervals and examined using the flotation method according to Fulleborn and McMaster. All the horses had been infected before treatment with strongyles. The intensity of invasion ranged from 40 to 980 eggs per gram of faeces. The extent of invasion changed insignificantly in the horses after the first or second treatment. However, only its intensity diminished. The intensity of invasion in stallions was very minor, whereas no considerable elimination of strongyles in mares remaining at pasture from May to October was observed. The only decrease in the number of eggs in faeces was observed in January and then in July. In August, however, there was a considerable increase in the invasion which peaked in November. A significant decrease in the strongyle invasion occurred after the first treatment in colts, and it completely waned in the young mares. However, its intensity increased slowly in the latter group and peaked in May. The invasion significantly decreased following the next treatment, but only for the month of July, whereas it began increasing from August and was highest in young mares in October and in colts in November. In the case of geldings, the intensity of strongyle invasion was minor until July and only increased in August and September with its peak occurring in December. The results suggested that in order to attain a significant decrease of strongyle invasions, horses should be treated not only during the autumn-winter (November to December) and before the grazing season (May), but also at the turn of July to August..