Given the increasing levels of anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites, parasitologists now

recommend traditional treatment approaches to be abandoned and replaced by more sustainable

strategies. It is of crucial importance to facilitate veterinary involvement to ensure that treatment

decisions are based on parasitic knowledge. Despite recommendations given for the past two

decades, strategies based on the selective therapy principle have not yet been implemented on a

larger scale in equine establishments. In contrast, treatment regimens appear to be derived from

recommendations originally given in 1966. The province of Quebec in Canada, and an increasing

number of European countries, have implemented prescription-only restrictions on anthelmintic

drugs. Denmark introduced this legislation ten years ago, and some evidence has been generated

describing potential consequences. It is without dispute that Danish veterinarians are now deeply

involved with parasite management in equine establishments. However, little is known about the

impact on levels of anthelmintic resistance and the risk of parasitic disease under these

circumstances. In addition, the legislation makes huge demands on diagnosis and parasite

surveillance. No data have been published evaluating fecal egg count techniques and larval culture

methods as clinical diagnostic tools, and very little is known about potential correlations with actual

worm burdens. This article provides a general review of anthelmintic strategies currently used in

equine establishments and outlines the recommendations now given for parasite control.

Preliminary experience with prescription-only restrictions in Denmark is presented and current

research needs to further evaluate this approach are discussed.