Common equine parasites: past, present and future

Parasites are ubiquitous in grazing equids, but most commonly cause infection without manifestation of clinical disease. However, the potential for profound and severe disease syndromes has historically prompted widespread adoption of preventative control measures. With the increasing development of anthelmintic resistance, such control measures must evolve and change to more diagnostic-led, evidence-based programmes that consider the specific epidemiology of each target parasite. Through a background of changing control measures, this review explores the equine parasites of importance both past and present, their epidemiology and disease manifestations, and how the picture of common equine parasites may change in the future.