How do foals typically become infected with Parascaris equorum?

Foals typically become infected with Parascaris equorum, which is a common ascarid parasite in horses, primarily by ingesting larvated eggs from contaminated food or the environment. The life cycle of Parascaris equorum involves the eggs being shed in the feces of infected horses, and these eggs can survive in the environment for long periods. When foals graze or consume feed that has been contaminated with these eggs, they ingest the larvated form, which then hatches in the intestine and matures into adult worms.

This route of infection is particularly significant because foals are often exposed to contaminated areas where older horses have defecated. Understanding this method of transmission is crucial for effective management and prevention of parasitic infections in young horses. It underlines the importance of maintaining good hygiene and a clean environment to mitigate the risk of infection in foals.