Research and experience by veterinarians have shown that tapeworms are associated with equine spasmodic colic, ileal impaction, and intussusception (where the intestine telescopes back onto itself). It is possible that recent deworming methods have allowed tapeworms to thrive in horses where other parasites are being controlled.

Recent research shows that the prevalence of tapeworms in horses in the United States ranges from 12.7% along the Pacific coast to 95.8% in the upper Midwest. In this study, the country was broken up into 10 regions, and the prevalence was greater than 30% in eight of the 10 regions. This research was presented at the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists meeting on July 20 by Craig Reinemeyer, DVM, PhD, President of East Tennessee Clinical Research