Coprological assessment of gastrointestinal helminths in Arabian Thoroughbred horses housed in a stable in the Constantine region, Algeria

This study assesses the gastrointestinal parasitological status of Arabian Thoroughbred horses at the Eastern Equestrian Club in Constantine (Algeria). In this semi-arid region, epidemiological data on equine parasitoses are lacking. Twenty fecal samples were analyzed using qualitative (flotation) and quantitative (McMaster) methods, complemented by morphological identification of parasitic eggs. The results reveal an overall prevalence of 50 %, with species diversity dominated by strongyles (60 % of positive cases), followed by Strongyloides westeri (40 %), Habronema spp. (30 %), Eimeria leuckarti (20 %), and Parascaris spp. (10 %). The excretion intensity, assessed through eggs per gram of feces (EPG), was predominantly low (<200 EPG for 80 % of samples), although two horses exhibited light burdens (200 – 380 EPG). The detection of E. leuckarti, a protozoan that can be pathogenic to foals, and the persistence of strongyles despite prophylactic measures highlight the challenges of parasite management in this breeding system. These findings suggest overall control of infestations, likely due to existing sanitary protocols, but also reveal residual risks related to parasite diversity and the potential emergence of anthelmintic resistance.