There is never one right way of doing anything when it comes to horses. If you ask 10 different people you will get 10 different opinions. So with that in mind, we try to pull together from best practices. And if you are a new breeder, you probably just want some idea of what others do when it comes to things like foal deworming schedules.
On the topic of foal deworming, where you live in the world will make a difference to what you have to deworm for.
One thing all breeders can probably agree on is that the first few months of a foal's life are critical for healthy growth and development. During this time, young horses are particularly vulnerable to internal parasites that can affect their digestive system, growth, and overall health.
Why are foals more susceptible to parasites?
Unlike mature horses, foals have an immature immune system and have not yet developed natural resistance to many common internal parasites. You might have noticed that your newborn foal wants to put his or her mouth on absolutely everything! While this is super cute, as they begin grazing, exploring their environment, and interacting with other horses, they are exposed to parasite eggs and larvae present in paddocks and manure.
Without appropriate parasite control, these parasites can multiply quickly, leading to health problems that may affect the foal's development. A foal's immature gut can get overwhelmed.
Common internal parasites affecting foals
Several parasites commonly affect young horses, including:
- Roundworms (Parascaris equorum)
- Small strongyles (cyathostomins)
- Large strongyles
- Pinworms
- Tapeworms (depending on age and regional risk)
Roundworms are of particular concern in young foals because they can cause significant disease before a foal develops immunity.
What problems can parasites cause?
Heavy parasite burdens can lead to a range of health issues, including:
- Poor growth and weight gain
- Rough hair coat
- Pot-bellied appearance
- Diarrhea
- Colic
- Reduced feed efficiency
- Respiratory signs during parasite migration
- Intestinal obstruction in severe roundworm infections
Many of these signs develop gradually, meaning a foal may appear healthy while carrying a significant parasite burden.
Why a schedule matters
Deworming should not be viewed as a one-time treatment. This is especially true for foals.
Parasites have complex life cycles, and different species become a concern at different stages of a foal's development. A structured schedule helps interrupt these life cycles while reducing the risk of heavy parasite burdens developing.
Following a planned schedule also helps breeders avoid missed treatments and maintain consistent parasite control throughout the foal's first months of life.
There is no universal deworming schedule
Although many breeding farms follow similar parasite control programs, recommendations vary between countries, climates, management systems, and even individual farms.
Factors that influence a deworming program include:
- Geographic location
- Climate
- Stocking density
- Pasture management
- Previous parasite history
- Fecal egg count results
- Veterinary recommendations
- Local parasite resistance patterns
For this reason, breeders should work closely with their veterinarian to develop a parasite control program appropriate for their horses and region. And this is why we have made our Foal Care and Deworming schedule in StallionApp very customizable. You can set the template based on what you do in your area, and you can edit it for each foal.
Managing deworming records with StallionApp
A successful breeding program depends on accurate record keeping as much as good veterinary care.
StallionApp allows breeders to maintain comprehensive health records for every horse, making it easy to record deworming treatments alongside vaccinations, breeding events, veterinary procedures, pregnancy records, foaling information, and other important management events.
Having every health record organized in one place helps breeders monitor each horse throughout its lifetime while ensuring important treatments are never overlooked.
The standard default template we have built in for USA breeders is as follows:
You don't have to agree with us — you can change this template in your user settings and create your own. We just put that there as a starter.
Final thoughts
A well-planned foal deworming schedule helps protect young horses during one of the most important stages of their development. By combining veterinary guidance, good pasture management, accurate record keeping, and a structured parasite control program, breeders can reduce health risks and give foals the best possible start in life.
Every breeding operation is different, but one principle remains the same: consistent preventative care is one of the best investments you can make in a foal's future health and performance.
Oh, and remember to kiss your foal on the nose daily for best results.