title: Cross-sectional survey of parasite control practices on Thoroughbred and Standardbred training yards in New Zealand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is growing concern worldwide regarding anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites. In order to improve parasite control practices and reduce the selection for resistant parasites, baseline data are required.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the current parasite management and control practices used for racehorses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thoroughbred and Standardbred trainers were surveyed online regarding demographics, parasite control methods, grazing management and quarantine, and the use of faecal egg counts (FEC), with questions stratified by horse type, i.e. racehorses (horses in training) and spellers (racehorses on a break from training), and industry (Thoroughbred and Standardbred). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations with FEC use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 234 respondents completed the survey for an estimated response rate of 16%. In total, 50.5% of trainers treated horses on an interval treatment strategy and treated a median of 6 (interquartile range (IQR) 4-7) and 6 (IQR 4-8) times annually for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses, respectively. A total of 62.5% (130/208) of respondents reported seeking veterinary advice for deworming products, and FEC had been done by 20.1% (39/194) of respondents. The odds of a trainer doing FEC were 4 times higher if the trainer had consulted a veterinarian, compared with those that had not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has highlighted an industry-wide overuse of anthelmintic products and few trainers were using surveillance-based control strategies. The relationship between veterinarians and trainers should be explored further to enhance information dissemination and implement effective control strategies, to maintain horse health and delay the advance of anthelmintic resistance.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rosanowski
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Kaipaki Veterinary Services, Windsor Park Stud, Cambridge, New Zealand.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Sells
authors.affiliation: Equine Research Centre, Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: Equine Research Centre, Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Bolwell
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006736:Horses; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics
keywords: anthelmintic resistance; control practices; horse; management; parasite; racehorse