Background and Aim: Considering the widespread and increasing growth of horse maintenance and breeding, the
importance of the health of this animal is of particular importance. Proper breeding of horses requires understanding
and attention to the physiological and psychological needs of these animals. One of the main problems in the field of
horse maintenance is the infection of this animal with parasitic infections. The aim of this study was to determine the
relationship between bed type and parasitic gastrointestinal worms.
Materials and Methods: In this study, fecal samples of 88 adult male and female horses of different races in equestrian
clubs around Tehran were prepared and evaluated using Dung, straw, and mixtures of Dung and straw. The samples
were investigated using direct and flotation (using Clayton-Lane method saturated by sugar solution) methods.
Results: The results of this study showed that infection with parasitic worm eggs was observed in the gastrointestinal
tract of about 32% of horses. Parascaris equorumlarvae were found in 30% of horses and Oxyuris equi in the rest of
the horses. In all equestrian clubsstudied, there was a history of antiparasitic therapy. There was no significant
relationship between type of bed, sex, age group and severity of contamination. However, a significant difference
between severity of contamination with body mass index, fecal index and month of sampling was observed.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that bed type is not significant with the rate of
parasitic infection in horses, which can be related to the use of antiparasitic therapy.
Keywords: Horse, bed, Tehran, Paraascaris ecorum, Oxyurea, Body mass index, Fecal index.