Bots are a serious threat to your horse's stomach health and ability to digest, since the larvae attach themselves with sharp teeth to the stomach's lining for an 8-10 month period, and can both ulcerate and inflame the stomach lining. The good news is that with a little strategy and the right dewormer, you can keep bots at bay within your herd.

Bots aren't worms; instead they're the larvae of the horse botfly, which resembles a bee but has no stinger. The eggs resemble small yellow or light tan specks of paint on your horse's hair.

Small breeds and young horses are particularly at risk of developing problems, since their digestive system tissues might be thinner and more easily damaged; both ulcers and stomach wall penetrations have been known to occur with bot infestations.

There are three different species of bots that target horses, including the common horse bot (Gastrophilus intestinalis), which lays its eggs on the horse's legs, sides, and flanks; the nose bot (Gastrophilus haemorrhoidalis), which lays eggs on the muzzle; and the throat bot (Gastrophilus nasalis), which lays eggs underneath the head, neck, and mane.

Bot eggs must be removed from your horse's hair; typically a small safety razor can be used to lightly and carefully shave the eggs off. It's important to do so in an area where the horses will never graze or eat, and to dispose of the tiny specks in the trash instead of throwing them on the ground. If you kill a female botfly, be sure to dispose of it in the trash, since if he accidentally consumes the fly your horse will effectively have eaten all the fly's unlaid eggs.

Ivermectin is an effective dewormer for bots, however timing is crucial:

Since bots are an airborne problem, it's also a good idea to work together with your neighbors to reduce bot populations in the area. With a little planning and action, your horse and his stomach can remain relatively bot-free.