Traveling With Horses: Deworming Considerations

Why Travel Matters for Parasite Management

When horses travel — whether for shows, clinics, trail rides, breeding, or relocation — they encounter new environments, new horses, and potentially new parasite populations. This introduces considerations that stay-at-home horses do not face.

Understanding these considerations helps horse owners plan ahead and protect both their own horses and the horses they interact with during travel.

Before You Travel

Consult Your Veterinarian

Before any significant travel, particularly to events where your horse will mingle with others:

• Discuss your horse's current parasite status with your vet. A recent fecal egg count can confirm whether your horse is shedding parasite eggs.
• Ask if pre-travel deworming is recommended. Your vet may advise treatment before traveling, depending on your horse's last FEC results and the type of event.
• Review your horse's overall health. Travel is stressful, and a healthy baseline helps your horse handle the experience.

Check Event Requirements

Many organized equine events have health requirements for participating horses:

• Coggins test (EIA test): Required in most U.S. states for any traveling horse.
• Health certificate: May be required for interstate travel.
• Vaccination requirements: Some events require proof of specific vaccinations.
• Deworming documentation: Less commonly required, but some facilities request proof of recent deworming.

Check with event organizers well in advance to ensure compliance.

Prepare Your Supplies

• Bring any deworming products your veterinarian has recommended, stored properly in an insulated container.
• Include your horse's health records and your veterinarian's contact information.
• Pack manure disposal supplies — do not leave manure at communal facilities without proper disposal.

During Travel and At Events

Biosecurity Best Practices

When your horse is at an event or boarding at a new facility, biosecurity practices help reduce parasite transmission:

• Avoid communal water sources when possible. Bring your own water buckets or containers.
• Keep your horse's feed equipment separate from other horses' equipment.
• Pick up your horse's manure at the event facility. Manure left in communal areas contributes to parasite contamination for all horses present.
• Avoid high-traffic grazing areas where multiple horses have grazed, as these areas are likely to have higher concentrations of infective larvae.
• Minimize nose-to-nose contact with unknown horses when possible.

Stall and Paddock Considerations

If your horse is stabled at an event or boarding facility:

• Inspect the stall or paddock before putting your horse in. Look for cleanliness and evidence of recent manure removal.
• Bed stalls adequately to reduce contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.
• Ask about the facility's deworming and manure management practices if possible.

Storing Dewormer Products While Traveling

If you are carrying dewormer paste tubes:

• Keep them in an insulated bag or container to protect from temperature extremes.
• Do not leave them in a hot trailer or vehicle.
• See our full guide on how to store equine paste products for detailed guidance.

After Returning Home

Quarantine Considerations

When your horse returns from an event:

• Consider a short quarantine period before reintroducing the horse to your home pasture or herd, especially after events with large numbers of unknown horses.
• Monitor your horse's health for any signs of illness or parasitic infection in the days and weeks following travel.
• Consult your veterinarian about whether a post-travel fecal egg count is warranted, particularly if your horse was exposed to unfamiliar horses or pastures.

Manure Management

• Pick up your horse's manure promptly in the days following return, particularly if the horse may have picked up new parasites during travel.
• Maintain your regular pasture management routine — regular manure removal, rotation, and monitoring.

Special Situations

Moving to a New Barn or Property

A permanent move introduces your horse to an entirely new parasite environment:

• Contact your veterinarian before the move to discuss parasite management.
• Ask the new facility about their deworming program and how it aligns with your own.
• Establish baseline fecal egg counts at the new location so your vet can monitor any changes.

International Travel

Horses traveling internationally face additional regulations:

• Import/export health requirements vary by country and may include specific deworming or testing protocols.
• Quarantine periods may be mandatory.
• Work with an accredited veterinarian who is experienced with international equine travel requirements.

Checklist: Parasite Management and Travel

• Consult your veterinarian about pre-travel parasite management
• Obtain required health certificates and Coggins test
• Pack deworming products properly if recommended by your vet
• Practice biosecurity at events (own buckets, clean stalls, pick up manure)
• Store products properly during travel
• Monitor horse's health after returning home
• Consider post-travel FEC if recommended by your vet

Sources and References

• American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP): Travel Health Guidelines
• USDA APHIS: Interstate and International Movement of Horses

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This article is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for guidance specific to your horse.