The best way to insure that one's pastures have a constant supply of parasites is to raise foals and have many old horses. Both are the perfect environments for worm development. All foals, and many old horses, do not have immune systems strong enough to help keep worms in check.
The second best way to raise a lot of parasites is to follow the old ideas of rotating different wormers on a bimonthly schedule. This practice can lead to the development of strong, healthy worms that are at least partially resistant to all current dewormers.
For years I have stayed away from Quest, which is effective against encysted strongyles. Most of my horses had never had Quest. Over the past month I have received great results by giving Quest to some of the horses that were not responding to ivermectin.
I will continue to use Quest rarely on an as needed basis and I expect to get continued great results if the horses and their parasites are not over exposed to the drug.
Before using Quest read and follow the directions. This is not ivermectin that you are playing with. You cannot just pop a tube in a horse regardless of its weight as one may do with ivermectin.
Of course, the best treatment strategy begins with a fecal egg count and that is highly recommended for those who have a small enough herd to make that practical.
(This half Corolla colt, Red Fox, is about three weeks old and is owned by my niece.)
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