Investigation of digestive system helmets in horses in Aksaray, Nevsehir and Konya provinces

Gastrointestinal helminth infections in horses not only threaten individual animal health but also negatively affect the livestock economy by causing productivity losses. In this context, determining these parasitic diseases at the regional level is of great importance for both preventive medicine practices and the development of effective control strategies. This study was planned to determine the gastrointestinal helminth species and prevalence levels causing infections in horse populations raised for different purposes in Aksaray, Nevşehir and Konya provinces in the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye. The three provinces selected as the study area were considered as an important sampling area due to their geographical transition points due to their location to each other and also because they have different horse breeding and usage styles. The study material consisted of a total of 238 fresh horse feces of different ages, genders, usage purposes, colors and breeds. Collected samples were examined by native fecal examination, flotation, sedimentation, Baermann-Wetzel method and fecal culture methods. Parasitological examination revealed helminth eggs in 38.23% of the examined samples. Of these, 32.77% were strongylid-type eggs, while Parascaris equorum accounted for 3.36% and mixed (strongylid nematode + P. equorum) infections accounted for 2.10%. Stool culture revealed Trichonema spp. (13.03%; n:31) and Gyalocephalus spp. (0.42%; n:1) in the stool samples containing strongylid-type eggs. Rhabditis spp. (19.75%; n:47) was also detected in stool culture samples. Differences in infection rates were observed according to age, breed, intended use, and province of residence of the horses. Helminth infections were highest in horses aged 0-4 years. Helminths were found to be more prevalent in Yılkı horses compared to other breeds due to differences in care and breeding. When evaluated based on their intended use, the infection rate is higher in riding animals. Strongylid nematode infections were most prevalent in Aksaray, followed by Nevşehir and Konya, respectively. Furthermore, this study contributed to the acquisition of up-to-date epidemiological data for the region by identifying larval stages. Keywords: Helminth, Larva, Parascaris equorum, Parasite, Strongylid