Occurrence of strongyles [Strongylidae] in horses from small farms on the basis of necropsy

Three parts of the large intestine, i.e. the dorsal and ventral colon, and caecum in 41 working horses from small farms in southern Poland were examined. Five species of large strongyles (3 migratory species from genus Strongylus and 2 non-migratory from genus Triodontophorus) and as well as 17 species of cyathostomes were revealed. The prevalence of large strongyles was observed, accordingly: Strongylus vulgaris - 80.5%, S. equinus - 9.8%, S. edentatus - 4.9%, Triodontophorus serratus - 19.5% and T. brevicauda - 7.3%. Among cyathostomes, 5 most prevalent species were Cyathostomum catinatum - 31.7%, Coronocyclus coronatus - 31.7%, Cylicostephanus calicatus - 24.4%, Cylicocyclus nassatus - 24.4% and C. ashworthi - 19.5%. The highest prevalence of S. vulgaris among all Strongylidae isolated specimens suggests that the infection with this parasite should be taken into account in the diagnosis of colics in working horses kept in the small farming system.