The Top Horse Dewormers

Written by Alan Lemus
Updated: February 9, 2023
© Kira Felicitas/Shutterstock.com

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Worm infestation is common for horses. There are numerous parasites that can infect your horse, ranging from roundworm to tapeworm, redworm to pinworm, depending on its species, age, pasture, and climate. Have you ever wondered why your horse has such a rough haircoat even after grooming? Or have you noticed that foals are not growing properly? Do they suffer from diarrhea, constipation, or respiratory issues? This could all be coming from a single issue: worms.

There are a few things more stressful than noticing the symptoms of worms in your horse. The symptoms of a parasite infection vary depending on the type and number of worms infecting the horse. Many parasite infections go undiagnosed while the parasite burden is low, but many worms can induce symptoms and have negative effects on the horse’s health.

A horse dewormer is used to inhibit the development of internal parasites. It is almost impossible to eradicate the internal parasites, so the purpose of using a dewormer is to keep your horse’s parasitic load at a manageable level.

Deworming products come in a variety of forms, including liquid paste, pellet, and granules. It can be difficult to figure out what works best for your horse. To take the stress off you, we have compiled a well-researched list of the top horse deworming products ranked by features, price, and consumer reviews. This allows you to spend less time worrying and more time caring for your horse.

  1. Panacur Equine Paste 10% Horse Dewormer
    • Suitable for horses of all ages, body types, and sizes
    • Apple-cinnamon flavor
    • Easy-to-use oral medication
    • FDA-approved
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  2. QUEST Gel Dewormer & Boticide for Horses & Ponies
    • Good for worms that emerge in Spring
    • Can also be used on breeding mares and foals
    • Contains 2% moxidectin
    • One syringe treats a horse up to 1,500lb
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. Farnam Ivercare Horse Dewormer Paste, Apple Flavor
    • Value for money option
    • Appropriate for horses of all sizes
    • Red apple flavor
    • Very easy to use
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. Durvet Ivermectin Paste 1.87% Apple Flavor Horse Dewormer
    • Broad-spectrum dewormer
    • Safe for all horses
    • Save money by buying in bulk
    • Easy to feed to a horse
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  5. Safe-Guard Equi-Bits Horse Dewormer
    • Best for horses that don't like syringes
    • Easy-to-eat alfalfa-based pellets
    • Contains fenbendazole
    • One pouch treats a horse up to 1,250 lbs.
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  6. Equimax 14.03 Praziquantel/1.87 Ivermectin Paste
    • Contains ivermectin and praziquantel
    • Ergonomic dispenser
    • The flavor is great, horses love it
    • Controls a variety of parasites
    Check Amazon

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Horse Dewormers

1. Best Overall Dewormer for Horses: Panacur Equine Paste Horse Dewormer

The Panacur Equine Paste Horse Dewormer is our favorite horse dewormer. The 25-gram gel-like product is suitable for horses of all ages, body types, and sizes. Large and small redworms (strongyles), roundworms (ascarids), pinworms, and migrating larvae are among the parasites that can be treated with it.

Your horse will love receiving the dewormer because of the apple-cinnamon flavor. It also includes a syringe, making it an easy-to-use oral medication. One syringe is enough to deworm a horse weighing 1,100 pounds.

One reviewer stated that he has been using this dewormer for horses for over 45 years and that it always gets the job done. In his words, “It is great for most worms when used at the proper dosage.”

We were only able to find one negative review for this product: “It works. It just doesn’t taste very good.”

Pros and Cons of Panacur Equine Paste

ProsCons
This 25-gram, gel-like dewormer is appropriate for horses of all ages, body types, and sizes.One reviewer said, “It works. It just doesn’t taste very good.”
It treats a variety of parasites, including large and small redworms (strongyles), roundworms (ascarids), pinworms, and migrating larvae.
Horses love the apple-cinnamon flavor of this easy-to-use oral medication.
One syringe (included) is enough to deworm a 1,100-pound horse.
Best Overall
Panacur Equine Paste 10% Horse Dewormer
  • Suitable for horses of all ages, body types, and sizes
  • Apple-cinnamon flavor
  • Easy-to-use oral medication
  • FDA-approved
Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best for Spring: QUEST Gel Dewormer & Boticide for Horses & Ponies

QUEST Gel Dewormer & Boticide for Horses & Ponies targets both encysted and non-encysted redworms (strongyles) which typically emerge in the spring. It’s easy to use on breeding mares, foals, and stallions who are at least six months old. It not only treats encysted cyathostomins, roundworms (ascarids), pinworms, hairworms, largemouth stomach worms, and bots, but it also limits the production of strongyle eggs for up to 84 days. This gel wormer contains 2% moxidectin and one syringe can treat a horse that weighs 1,500 pounds.

One reviewer selected this product after her veterinarian recommended it. Since her horses like the flavor, she sprinkles it on their grain, and they usually eat it without difficulty.

Another reviewer had used this product on his horses for years. One of his two-year-olds experienced hives and other allergic-type symptoms after taking this medication.

Pros and Cons of QUEST Gel Dewormer & Boticide for Horses & Ponies

ProsCons
This gel dewormer targets both encysted and non-encysted redworms (strongyles) that typically emerge in the spring.One user reported that a two-year-old experienced allergic-type symptoms after taking this medication.
It’s easy to use on horses that are at least six months old.
In addition to treating encysted cyathostomins, roundworms (ascarids), pinworms, hairworms, largemouth stomach worms, and bots, it limits the production of strongyle eggs for up to 84 days.
It contains 2% moxidectin and one syringe can treat a horse that weighs 1,500 pounds.
Best for Spring
QUEST Gel Dewormer & Boticide for Horses & Ponies
  • Good for worms that emerge in Spring
  • Can also be used on breeding mares and foals
  • Contains 2% moxidectin
  • One syringe treats a horse up to 1,500lb
Check Chewy Check Amazon

3. Best Value: Farnam Ivercare Horse Dewormer Paste, Apple Flavor

Farnam Ivercare Horse Dewormer Paste, Apple Flavor provides the best value for your money.  A single dose of 91 mcg ivermectin is sufficient to treat a horse weighing up to 1,500 pounds. This means that the product is appropriate for horses of all sizes.

It has a red apple flavor that adds to its appeal, as well as a syringe that makes feeding your horse easy. This dewormer protects against parasites such as gastrointestinal nematodes and bots in horses.

One reviewer gave this medication to a mare that refuses to have a tube in her mouth but enjoys the taste of the paste. They squeezed the appropriate amount onto her sweet feed, and she ate it that way.

A couple of reviewers reported that they received open tubes. Another said that the product was messy.

Pros and Cons of Farnam Ivercare Horse Dewormer Paste, Apple Flavor

ProsCons
This dewormer is our top choice for value.A couple of reviewers reported that they received open tubes.
A single dose of 91 mcg ivermectin is sufficient to treat a horse weighing up to 1,500 pounds.One reviewer said that the product was messy.
It’s red apple flavored and includes a syringe that makes administering this medication easy.
This product protects against parasites such as gastrointestinal nematodes and bots in horses.
Best Value
Farnam Ivercare Horse Dewormer Paste, Apple Flavor
  • Value for money option
  • Appropriate for horses of all sizes
  • Red apple flavor
  • Very easy to use
Check Chewy Check Amazon

4. Best for Bulk Buying: Durvet Ivermectin Paste 1.87% Apple Flavor Horse Dewormer 12 Pack

Durvet Ivermectin Paste 1.87% Apple Flavor Horse Dewormer is for those who prefer to shop in bulk or have a horse herd. This broad-spectrum dewormer treats large and small strongyles, pinworms, ascarids, hairworms, large-mouth stomach worms, bots, lungworms, intestinal threadworms, summer sores, and dermatitis in horses. And it has a delicious flavor that makes administering it to horses easy.

This was particularly valuable to one reviewer with a herd of 27 horses since it allowed him to save money. Some horses are difficult to deworm, but they responded well to this product.

One reviewer reported that they purchased this 12-pack expecting it to last a year but the expiration date was only 10 months from date of receipt.

Pros and Cons of Durvet Ivermectin Paste 1.87% Apple Flavor Horse Dewormer 12 Pack

ProsCons
This 12-pack is best for people who like to shop in bulk or who have a herd of horses.One reviewer reported that they purchased this 12-pack expecting it to last a year but the expiration date was only 10 months from date of receipt.
This broad-spectrum dewormer treats large and small strongyles, pinworms, ascarids, hairworms, large-mouth stomach worms, bots, lungworms, intestinal threadworms, summer sores, and dermatitis in horses.
It has a delicious apple flavor that horses love.
Best for Bulk Buying
Durvet Ivermectin Paste 1.87% Apple Flavor Horse Dewormer
  • Broad-spectrum dewormer
  • Safe for all horses
  • Save money by buying in bulk
  • Easy to feed to a horse
Check Chewy Check Amazon

5. Best in Pellet Form: Intervet Safeguard Dewormer Pellets

Intervet Safeguard Dewormer Pellets is a fantastic alternative to syringe wormers for horses who dislike them. A single-dose treatment controls large strongyles, small strongyles, pinworms and ascarids. It comes in easy-to-eat alfalfa-based pellets and is regarded safe for foals, pregnant mares, and lactating mares. In one meal, a single bag of this pellet horse dewormer will treat a horse weighing 1,250 pounds.

A tester who purchased this product said she administered it to all three of her horses. Other than alfalfa, they all have different attitudes when it comes to food. The horses showed no signs of hesitation and were treated successfully.

Several reviewers said that this product was too expensive.

Pros and Cons of Intervet Safeguard Dewormer Pellets for Horses

ProsCons
This pellet dewormer is an excellent alternative to syringe wormers.Several reviewers said that this product was too expensive.
A single dose of these easy-to-eat alfalfa-based pellets controls large strongyles, small strongyles, pinworms and ascarids.
It’s considered to be safe for foals, pregnant mares, and lactating mares.
A single bag served in one meal will treat a 1,250-pound horse.
Best in Pellet Form
Safe-Guard Equi-Bits Horse Dewormer
  • Best for horses that don't like syringes
  • Easy-to-eat alfalfa-based pellets
  • Contains fenbendazole
  • One pouch treats a horse up to 1,250 lbs.
Check Chewy Check Amazon

6. Premium Choice: Bimeda Equimax Horse Wormer

Bimeda Equimax Horse Wormer’s main selling point is that it contains both ivermectin and praziquantel, which together combat a variety of parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms, and bots.

This all-around wormer comes with many syringes, making it ideal for dosing multiple horses or keeping some on hand if you only have one. Furthermore, each syringe contains enough paste to treat one 1,320-pound horse without negative effects.

“It’s impossible to not love the ergonomic dispenser,” one reviewer said of the Bimeda Equimax Horse Dewormer: “It makes administration so much easier. The flavor must be great, too, because I don’t even have to halter my horses to administer it directly into the mouth. The consistency is great and doesn’t just ball up on the tongue.”

A few reviewers complained that this product was too expensive.

Pros and Cons of Bimeda Equimax Horse Wormer

ProsCons
This horse dewormer contains both ivermectin and praziquantel, which together combat a variety of parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms, and bots.A few reviewers complained that this product was too expensive.
It comes with multiple syringes so you can dose multiple horses or keep some on hand if you only have one.
Each syringe contains enough paste to treat one 1,320-pound horse.
Premium Choice
Equimax 14.03 Praziquantel/1.87 Ivermectin Paste
  • Contains ivermectin and praziquantel
  • Ergonomic dispenser
  • The flavor is great, horses love it
  • Controls a variety of parasites
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Active Ingredients

Horses have different parasite burdens, and even horses in the same herd can have different worm infestations. As a result, before determining which dewormers to use, it’s important to identify each horse’s worm burden and distinguish the active ingredients in available dewormers. For instance, fenbendazole-based products exclusively treat roundworms, bloodworms, and pinworms, whereas products containing ivermectin and praziquantel treat all parasites.

Safety

Another element to consider is the dewormer’s safety. Is it effective on all horses, regardless of their age or physical condition? Are there any downsides? These are some of the questions to consider before deciding on the best dewormer. Some products are not recommended for pregnant mares or foals who are underweight, while others are regarded as safe for all.

The Different Types of Horse Dewormers: Pros and Cons Compared

There are many different types of horse dewormers. You know your herd better than anyone so you will know what method they will prefer. We will break down some of the pros and cons of each type of product.

Liquid Paste/Gel

ProsCons
Easy to administerSome horses hate syringes
Can measure accurately
Sticks to the mouth of picky horses

Pellets

ProsCons
Great valuePicky horses won’t eat it
Can measure accurately
A suitable alternative to a syringe 

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About the Author

Alan is a freelance writer and an avid traveler. He specializes in travel content. When he visits home he enjoys spending time with his family Rottie, Opie.

The Top Horse Dewormers FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How often do horses need worming?

Usually, worming is advised every six to eight weeks. However, it’s important you develop a sustainable worming program for your own property. Effective worm control, combined with pasture management, will protect the health of your horses.

How do you tell if a horse needs to be dewormed?

Common signs of parasite or worm infection include:
  1. Weight loss
  2. Colic
  3. Diarrhea or constipation
  4. Rough hair coat even after grooming
  5. Poor growth in foals
  6. Respiratory problems. (nasal discharge, cough)

What happens if you dont worm a horse?

Horses pick up tapeworms during the grazing season, so autumn is the best time to treat them. An untreated tapeworm burden may cause colic, weight loss, diarrhea, and a multitude of other ailments.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.