Parasites of stomach and small intestine of 70 horses slaughtered in the Netherlands

The prevalence of metazoan parasites in the stomach and small intestine was investigated in 70 horses slaughtered in the period February 1994 - July 1994. Most horses were young (1.5 - 3 years) and in good condition. Trichostrongylus axei was the most prevalent parasite species in the stomach (51.4%), followed by Gasterophilus intestinalis (41.4%) and Habronema spp. (4.3%). In the small intestine, Parascaris equorum (28.6%) and Paranoplocephala mamillana (1.4%) were found. The mean worm burden of T. axei was 957 (max. 8502), of G. intestinalis 21 (max. 84), of Habronema spp. 3 (max. 5), and of P. equorum 32 (max. 308). One single specimen of P. mamillana was seen. All bots of G. intestinalis were in the third instar stage. No seasonal pattern and no influence of the parasites on the condition of the horses could be observed.