HORSE WORMERS

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Hearns Farm Supplies (South of Dorking) can be used as a drop-off point for samples if you like. You would then also be able to chat to their SQP, Dee if you need any help or advice.

Please still contact Wormteq to make sure we will be able to process the samples on your intended day.

Bits of information from other internet sources:-

It is a good idea to rotate the class of active ingredients from one year to the next, to reduce chances of resistance developing.  Take care to alternate the chemical class, not just the product brand.

Remember that each horse will have different levels of worm burden and will need a personalised worming programme

Regular faecal egg counts, especially from Spring to Autumn will help you monitor your horse's worm status

Always consult your vet or SQP if you have any concerns about horse health or treatment

Guidance to reduce the number of worm eggs in the environment

• Regularly remove faeces from paddocks.
• Do not over-stock.
• Sharing fields with sheep and cows can reduce the number of eggs in the environment- the ruminants ingest eggs but are not part of the life cycle
• Rotate grazing and rest paddocks.

Tests to help with your worming programme

Faecal Egg Counts (FECs)  these indicate the level of adult egg-producing roundworms.

• FECs should be carried out every 2-3 months to identify horses with high burdens that need treatment.
•  They do not detect encysted small redworms or tapeworms.
• FECs can also be useful in identifying horses showing resistance to treatment when the sample is taken a short while after worming.

Blood sample ELISA 

 this test needs a blood sample and is expensive so tapeworms can be wormed for once or twice a year to prevent significant infestations from occurring. Tapeworms can cause colic and are easily treated with a Praziquantel product.

EquiSal Tapeworm Test 

 the latest way to test for tapeworm. A swab of saliva is taken from the horse and sent off to Austin Davis Biologics Ltd to analyse. They carry out ELISA tests on the saliva taken but as blood sample is not needed, these test are more affordable and easier to fit into a worming plan.

Wormteq will stock these swabs if there is a demand for them.

Health and circumstances

Give thought to age, general health condition, administration to mares, foals and stallions and also pasture management.

A critical time for parasite control is the early months so take special care when treating foals ensure you select an ingredient that is suitable for use on foals and use that at the correct times.

Only worm when necessary

 Horses have always had parasites so a small worm burden is not unhealthy.

 Exposing small numbers to a wormer on a regular basis encourages resistance to develop.

 It is important to have worm populations that haven't been exposed to anthelmintics (worming drugs).  It isn't always necessary to treat for redworms, so egg counts should be carried out in Spring, Summer and Autumn.

Give the correct dose

 Make sure you know the weight of your horse by using a weighbridge or weighing tape and dose accordingly.

 Underdosing leads to resistance building in surviving worms and overdosing is not beneficial.

Links for more information about horse parasites:

Zoetis