Parascaris equorum in Horses of Payakumbuh City, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Parascaris equorum is a species of the Ascarididae family which belongs to the phylum nematoda (roundworms) and is a type of parasite that affects equine health, performance, and production. The current study was carried out from April to August 2021 to determine the prevalence of equine Parascaris equorum in horses residing in Payakumbuh City, Indonesia. A total number of 128 fecal samples from horses were examined in the current study. Coprological examination was performed for the detection of Parascaris equorum eggs inside the amassed samples. The overall occurrence of Parascaris equorum was 14.06% (18 out of 128). The prevalence rates of sub-districts differed with the highest in East at 18.18% (8/44), followed by North, South, and West at 16.66% (6/36), 14.06% (2/22), and 7.7% (2/26), respectively. The obtained results indicated a significant difference in the prevalence rate of Parascaris equorum between males and females as well as those horses aged < 5 years (26.22%) and > 5 years (3%). Therefore, it is critical to not only enhance horse health management, maintenance, and health but also to provide anti-parasitic medications on a regular basis.