Bots

See also: Horse Wormers (Manufacturers) | Horse Wormer (Chemicals) | Horse Worming Schedule

Bots - Bot Flies
Bots are a type of fly and not a worm, there eggs and larvae do however give similar cause for concern and therefore still need adequate treatment in order to control the burden.

Other Names
They are also known as Gasterophilus.

Description
Bot eggs can be spotted easily during the summer months by looking on your horses legs, jaw, chest and shoulder they can be seen as yellow eggs.

Horses At Risk
All horses are potentially at risk from Bot flies.

Bot Flies

The Female bot fly lays eggs onto the horses coat usually on the legs, shoulders and neck of the horse during the summer months.
The horse licks the eggs off their coat which then enter the horses mouth where they hatch and burrow into the horses gums.
The larvae attach to the mucus lining of the horses stomach where they remain over the winter months.
The larvae then pass out along with the droppings of the horse.
The larvae then burrow into the ground where they mature into adults.
As adults the females then lay eggs on the horses coat and so the process begins again.

Symptoms

Inflammation of the mouth
Stomach irritation
Stomach ulcers
Weight loss
Colic
Abdominal discomfort
Horses are often very lethargic.

Prevention

Regularly removing bot eggs from the horses coat will help to reduce the amount of eggs swallowed by the horse.
Using of fly sprays can also help to deter flies.
The use of worming products is essential to help protect your horse, ask your veterinarian for a worming schedule to help protect your horse from the threat of these and other worms.