With the nights drawing in, there is no denying that autumn is here. Make sure you and your horse are ready for the colder weather with our seasonal horsecare guide.

1. Hardcore
Putting hardcore down in gateways before the winter will help these areas stay compact, and prevent them from becoming too muddy and slippery.

2. Winter rugs
If you didn’t get your winter rugs cleaned and repaired in the spring, now is the time to do it. Or if you need new rugs, it’s time to go shopping!

3. Clippers
Get your clippers serviced and the blades sharpened by a specialist so you are ready to tackle those winter woolies. If you want to learn how to clip like the experts, check out our clipping masterclass video.

4. Worming
Autumn is the ideal time to test and treat horses for tapeworm, while vets recommend all horses should be wormed for encysted small redworm during November/December. So now is the time to get organised and order your worming supplies, checking that the active ingredients are the right ones for the the types of worms you are targetting.

5. Bedding
Choose bedding wisely if your horse is to be stabled in the coming colder months. If your horse suffers from respiratory problems consider using a dust-free bedding combined with rubber matting. You may find you can save yourself money by buying in bulk.

6. Dietary changes
If your horse is overweight the next few months is the ideal time to slim him down, or if he is inclined to lose weight now is the time to start thinking about his autumn/winter feeding regime before any weight loss occurs. Remember that good quality forage is important before turning to cereal feeds. Feeding oil will also help maintain condition.

7. Mud fever
Mud fever can start in autumn if conditions are wet and muddy. Avoid long periods of exposure to these conditions, as bacteria from the soil can enter the horse’s body through damaged skin or cuts.

8. Vaccinations
Check if your horse’s vaccinations are due. It’s easy to allow them to slip and costly if you have to restart the full course. Consult your vet if you are unsure what vaccinations your horse needs.

9. Teeth
Get your vet or equine dental technician to check your horse’s teeth before winter, to ensure they are able to make the most of their feed. This is particularly important for youngsters and older horses.

10. Grass
Laminitis is most commonly associated with spring grass, but cool nights lead to an increased accumulation of sugars in grass. If you own a laminitis-prone horse consider whether you need to restrict their grass intake.

11. Fly gear
Clean your fly sheets and masks and store them ready for use in the spring. Bring all your fly sprays, shampoos and other liquids indoors to prevent freezing and thawing, which may make them less effective.

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12. ‘Winterise’ your yard
After the ground has frozen you won’t be able to sink new fence posts, so make sure they are all secure now. Check gutters and downpipes are in good condition and clear of debris. Insulate your pipes and unhook hoses when not in use, especially during the night when it may drop below freezing.

13. Cooling
If your horse works up a sweat while being ridden, have a wool or fleece cooler to hand to throw over him while he’s cooling down to prevent him from becoming chilled.

14. Shooting
If you live in an area where deer stalking or shooting may occur, it is best to avoid riding out at peak times. Outfit yourself and your horse in bright colours or talk to your fellow riders to make sure you can be seen and heard.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

An animal-medicines company accused of “putting short-term profits above equine welfare” by promoting cheap wormers has promised to review its future communications.

VetUK sent out an email with the subject line “Horse wormers from £4.33”, with a selection of different brands with prices highlighted and links to “shop now”. There was no advice on appropriate worming programmes and the need to carry out faecal worm egg counts, nor the dangers of growing resistance to wormers included in the message.

David Rendle, chair of the British Equine Veterinary Association’s health and medicines committee, told H&H: “It is exceedingly disappointing to see de-wormers being advertised in this way by companies who are apparently putting their short-term profits above equine welfare and the long-term effectiveness of these products.

“We now have resistance to every class of de-wormer and it is grossly irresponsible to be promoting these products based on their low cost.”

Mr Rendle said the products should only be used when there has been “careful consideration of the risk of clinical disease and appropriate diagnostic testing”.

“Cost should not be a factor in deciding which product to use and when to use it,” he said. “Antibacterial drugs would never be advertised in this way so why is it acceptable for de-wormers? Resistant worms pose a far more immediate threat to equine welfare than resistant bacteria.

“Is the equine industry ever going to wake up to the threat that resistant parasites pose to equine welfare and the future viability of the industry?”

H&H has long reported on the issue of wormer resistance, and that owners must take urgent evasive action. It has been recommended since 1985 that horses should not be wormed routinely, and it is thought that if all horse owners turn to targeted worming – using the drugs only when needed, which can be determined through diagnostic testing including faecal worm egg counts and other tests – this could decrease the drugs’ use by 80%.

A Vet UK spokesman told H&H: “Here at VetUK, we understand the importance of horse owners responsibly using wormers, at the correct dose rate and during the correct season.

“However, we regret not reiterating advice in the communication email encouraging owners to carry out worm egg counts to determine whether wormers are needed, or highlighting the dangers of resistance caused by worming when it isn’t needed.

“As a result, we will be reviewing our communications to ensure this advice is given.”

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THE “writing is on the wall” for more equine disease and death if the industry does not take urgent, cohesive action against wormer resistance.

This was the view of experts at the 30th National Equine Forum on 3 March, who discussed the “collective responsibility” to tackle the issue. There is evidence of resistance to all four classes of worming drug available for use on horses, and no new types or drugs expected in the near future.

“This is a significant threat to our industry and uncontrolled, will lead to critical health and welfare issues,” said Claire Stratford, head of the efficacy team and anthelmintic policy lead at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). “Responsible use of [these drugs] is essential to maintain them.”

Dr Stratford said the issue is a global one, and horses can transmit resistant parasites “between yards, countries and continents”. Although there has been no recent research in this country, it is thought that “most horses in the UK have probably got resistant parasites”.

“It’s not a cause for panic but it is a real threat to all our horses, and it needs urgent collective attention,” she said.

Dr Stratford’s VMD colleague Alison Pyatt said resistance is also a global issue in livestock, and that in the UK, a “pan-industry” approach had been very successful. With that in mind, the VMD convened a group of experts from across the equine sector.

Dr Pyatt said one positive was reports that awareness, and use of diagnostics such as faecal worm egg counts, had increased over the past 10 years, and pasture management had improved.

“But we found we’ve got a critical problem still,” she said. “That tells us we’re not doing enough.”

Dr Pyatt said a major problem is the fragmented sector. There is a challenge in the many different ways horses are kept, and a need for standardisation in egg counts. Communication is a key issue, as is engaging those owners who are still routinely worming.

British Equine Veterinary Association president elect David Rendle, a specialist in equine internal medicine, said it was encouraging to hear of this progress.

“But I fear the wider industry isn’t quite on the same page and doesn’t appreciate the urgency of the situation,” he said. “We know traditional worming strategies mean 80% of doses are completely unnecessary, and multiple surveys show that although use of diagnostics is improving, as few as 10% of people are using them appropriately.”

Mr Rendle said in the past year in the UK, 1.13m doses of wormer were given, and 120,000 faecal egg counts carried out, so about 11 doses for each count, which is “definitely the wrong way round”.

But he said recent research indicated that education on the subject does not work, as the desired behaviour, a diagnostic testing-based plan and only worming when necessary, is seen as more expensive and more complicated, with no perceived benefit to the owner.

He believes a change in rules is needed, so owners can only buy wormers as part of a proved annual plan based on testing, and only if a horse is shown to need them.

“The writing is on the wall for more death and disease, and pastures that can’t be grazed by horses,” he said. “That will have a radical effect on our industry, and it will be in years, not decades.

“We have to shape up how we sell these products; we have to change.”

Claire Shand, managing director of Westgate Labs, which carries out parasite diagnostics, said using faecal counts can reduce wormer use by about 80%.

“There’s absolutely no place any more for routine worming,” she said. “The humble egg count is the cornerstone of testing; they’re cheap, simple and we try to make them as easy for owners to use as we can. And we use them to maintain the efficacy of the womers we do need to give.”

Ms Shand added that appropriate dosing is also key, for horses who do need to be wormed, as not giving enough for a horse’s weight also contributes to resistance.

“All horses need good parasite control, and it’s future generations we need to do this for, and so we can keep grazing horses on our fields into the future,” she said. “My question is: what will you do when the wormers stop working?”

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Vets and researchers have joined forces on a project aimed at combating the “serious and imminent threat to the equine industry” posed by wormer resistance.

H&H has reported on the need for the industry to work together to deal with the issue, and to help safeguard the drugs we have for future use.

Now, collaborative project WORMS — working to overcome resistance and make for a sustainable future — has been launched as a weapon in the battle.

A spokesman for the project said: “Project WORMS recognises that veterinary teams and owners need to work together to tackle resistance to worming products.

“A responsible approach to the use of wormers is crucial to maximise animal welfare and ensure we have effective products available in the future.”

The first stage of the project, which is supported by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), was initiated as a collaboration between Tim Mair of CVS Group and Julia Shrubb and Camilla Scott of the VetPartners equine clinical board.

The first step involves asking horse owners and keepers, and stud and yard owners and managers, to complete an online survey on their worm-control programmes.

Mr Mair said: “Resistance to worming drugs, anthelmintic resistance, is a rapidly growing, worldwide problem. With no new worming drugs on the horizon, it is essential that we do everything we can to protect the drugs that we currently have available, which means using wormers strategically and only when necessary.

“To safeguard the drugs, we need to know how and when horse owners currently decide to worm their horses. This is the objective of these surveys.”

The surveys, for horse owners and yard/stud owners/managers, are available online.

BEVA president elect David Rendle added that BEVA is pleased to support this “important piece of work”, which will inform decision-making on the stewardship of the drugs.

“Anthelmintic resistance presents a serious and imminent threat to the equine industry,” he said.

Ms Shrubb, of Ashbrook Equine Hospital, said most owners want to do right by their horses.

“But many are unaware of the seriousness of the impending resistance problems of current wormers,” she said. “Understanding how and when horse owners currently choose to give wormers will help us improve worming practices in the future, with the aim to preserving their effectiveness for as a long as possible and ultimately help the health and welfare of our entire equine population.”

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LARGE numbers of horses will die owing to our inability to control their parasites if we do not change our worming practices.

This was the warning given at a webinar on anthelmintic or wormer resistance, hosted by the Mare and Foal Sanctuary and presented by equine internal medicine specialist David Rendle.

H&H has previously reported on stark warnings given by Mr Rendle and others, including that the industry faces a “colic Armageddon” if current practices stay as they are.

Since 2010, there have been reports of resistance to every available class of wormer and there is “absolutely no suggestion of any new classes” in the foreseeable future.

“We aren’t going to get any new options, nothing in the short term, so we  have to find strategies of coping,” Mr Rendle said.

“We’ve got to be careful about how we use these drugs if we’re not to get to a situation where we’re losing large numbers of horses because we can’t control their parasites.”

Mr Rendle noted that wormer use can have a wider environmental effect; the drugs are excreted and “large numbers” of dung beetles, an important part of the ecosystem, have been lost. The drugs are also “phenomenally toxic” to some aquatic life, meaning a “real threat to rural ecosystems”.

“It’s a double whammy; a threat to our horses and the environment they live in,” he said.

Mr Rendle said the aim in the 1960s was to eliminate parasites, which was “misguided”. Instead, owners should aim to kill enough worms to stop horses becoming ill and leave those that have not been exposed to the drugs, so resistance is not passed on in reproduction.

He discussed measures taken in other countries to combat anthelmintic resistance. In Denmark, proof of the need of a wormer has to be shown to buy it, and in Sweden they are only available on prescription. In both countries, there has been a significant decrease in the drugs used. But although Ireland has recently pledged to follow Sweden’s lead, there are no such plans in the UK.

Owners should instead adopt a programme of only worming when necessary as determined by testing, such as faecal worm egg counts; the challenge is persuading people that this is the “only way to preserve the health and welfare of our horses long term”.

Mr Rendle added that good pasture management is essential, citing a study that found twice-weekly poo-picking removed far more worm larva from pasture than the use of different anthelmintics. Grazing ruminants on equine pasture is also helpful.

“Current worming practices are unsustainable,” he finished. “Resistance is at alarming levels and resistance is irreversible. It’s hard to get that message across to people as they don’t see the threat and by the time they do, it will be too late.”

At a meeting on equine anthelmintic resistance, organised by the Government’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) this spring, stakeholders agreed a pan-industry process  is essential for a co-ordinated approach to wormer use.

It was agreed the group should “provide strategic direction” by means of a steering group, with sub-groups to lead on issues including education, research and communication.

“The VMD will now convene an inaugural core steering group meeting to discuss and develop the group’s strategy and priorities,” a Government spokesman said.

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A new campaign is an attempt to prevent a “disaster” for equine welfare, which could be the case if we do not act.

The British Horse Society (BHS) and British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) have joined forces on the Think Before you Worm project, launched at the 2022 BEVA congress (7-10 September).

The aim is to educate owners, keepers and yard managers on the vital importance of following an evidence-based, testing-led, worming programme developed with the vet.

“This comes as the risk of dewormer resistance continues to threaten the equine industry; a state that occurs when a proportion of the worms inside horses are no longer killed by the dewormer,” a BHS spokesman said.

“The outdated practice of giving dewormers at regular intervals without testing first has resulted in worms becoming resistant to many of the drugs that we use. The aim of ‘Think Before You Worm’ is to help slow resistance by urging more equestrians to reduce a horse’s unnecessary exposure to dewormers by using testing-led programmes.”

H&H has reported on the fact wormer resistance could lead to a “colic Armageddon”, as well as issues such as pastures on which horses can no longer be grazed, as is already the case in some areas for other grazing species.

BHS welfare campaigns officer Gabby Madders said: “If we continuously deworm our horses without testing first, the number of resistant worms present will increase. This means worms on a horse’s pasture will become resistant to dewormers and no longer respond to treatment.

“Only five types of chemical drugs are available to treat horses in the UK for worms and there is now evidence of resistance to all of these chemicals. Without action, we could reach a point in the future where all worms are resistant to the dewormers available, which will be disastrous for equine welfare.

“We’re delighted to be working with BEVA to minimise the threat of resistance and to support horse owners, carers and yard managers with the development of a tailored, testing-led deworming plan that prioritises the welfare of their horses and eliminates any unnecessary treatment.”

BEVA president elect David Rendle said the association is just as pleased to be working with the BHS on this issue.

“Horse owners are becoming increasingly aware of the urgency with which we need to tackle dewormer resistance and find sustainable testing-led strategies of control, which minimise potential harm both to horses and to the environment.

“The BHS and BEVA guidelines are an excellent reference, and we would urge every horse and yard owner to work with their local veterinary surgeon to develop testing-led programmes that work best for them. Vets want to help.”

Risks associated with wormer resistance include the fact this increases dependence on other drugs, meaning a “vicious circle”, with more dependence and fewer options. If parasites become resistant to all drugs – and there has been resistance recorded to all classes – horses are at risk of serious illness, such as colic, which could be fatal.

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OWNERS are reminded that a wormer treating only tapeworms is still available from vets  and that broader-spectrum products are not necessary to treat this parasite.

The only previous product available on the open market that contained only praziquantel was discontinued in 2018 in a “setback” in the fight against wormer resistance. The drug was then only to be available in combination with ivermectin or moxidectin, which are used to treat small and large redworm.

But manufacturer BOVA stepped in to produce a praziquantel-only product. This is a registered product so can only be sold by vets, and British Equine Veterinary Association president David Rendle told H&H it is “very useful to avoid using combined products when they are not necessary”.

H&H has reported at length on the dangers posed by growing wormer resistance in the UK and globally, and only using drugs when they are needed, as determined by an ongoing testing-led worming programme, is important in controlling this.

Mr Rendle explained that tapeworms cannot be identified in faecal worm egg counts; exposure to them is tested by saliva or blood tests, and levels in these tests are not expected to drop immediately after treatment.

“It is my personal opinion that we treat for tapeworms far too frequently and we worry too much about horses that have antibodies to tapeworms,” he told H&H. “In mature horses with some level of immunity, the risk of disease associated with tapeworm is low and annual treatment is adequate for the majority; some do not need to be treated at all.

“At the request of vets, BOVA has stepped in to produce a straight praziquantel product that is only active against tapeworms, to overcome precisely the concerns that have been outlined.”

Mr Rendle said the queries of some owners over-treating tapeworm “highlight the complexities of developing de-worming programmes and the value in developing an annual plan in partnership with your vet who will have more tools in their kit than are available over the counter”.

“They will also have knowledge of your property and management – and on livery yards may be able to coordinate plans for the whole yard, which will reduce everybody’s use of de-wormers and help prevent the development of further resistance on the property,” he said. “‘Further’, because there will already be red worm resistance there.”

Claire Shand, director of parasite and testing company Westgate Labs, told H&H it is important owners know there is a praziquantel-only product.

“It was a real setback for wormer resistance when Equitape was withdrawn from sale in 2018, so fantastic that BOVA stepped up to fill this gap with their vet special,” she said. “We recommend it frequently to customers and advise them on how to get hold of it. But it doesn’t seem so widely known about in some circles, so as many come back to say their vet is unaware of the product or is reluctant to prescribe it.

“As with all testing, we have to use it within the context of the science, the situation and the risk. [Tapeworm saliva test] EquiSal is excellent and the information it has brought has helped us to revolutionise our approach to tapeworm control since it became available in 2015.”

Westgate recommends six-monthly testing, based on peer-reviewed research, and may recommend 12-monthly if results and circumstances suggest this is safe.

“The research shows that fewer than 30% of horses tested need treatment, which allows us to drastically reduce unnecessary exposure to chemicals,” she said. “Conversely, it also enables us to treat those with a high burden effectively, for many of whom one isolated tapeworm treatment isn’t sufficient because of the reinfection rate and the fact the tapewormers target adult rather than larval stages of the parasite.”

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The EquiSal Tapeworm Test works like a blood test but, instead, uses saliva that you collect yourself. The test tells you if you need to worm for tapeworm or not – and with the wormer resistance issues we face at the moment, this is really important information.

The test kit includes a saliva collection kit, return postage, emailing of results and follow-up advice if needed. Instructions are included, but I also watched this video by Westgate Labs to ensure I was doing it correctly.

Before conducting the test, you need to make sure your horse hasn’t eaten, drunk or exercised for 30 mins to ensure the saliva isn’t contaminated.

The saliva collection kit includes a swab that contains a pink dye. You hold the plastic end, while the cotton end is inserted into the mouth for the collection.

When you begin the test, the end of the swab will be unaffected by the dye.

I then inserted the swab into the inter-dental space where the bit would sit and allowed my horse to mouth it.

After 30 secs to a minute, I took the swab out to check if the dye had leaked enough, but the circle was not completely pink. This was really easy to check.

It was clear when the test was complete as the pink dye was dark and fully covered the circle.

I popped the completed swab in the tube of solution and wrote his name on it.

I packaged up the two tests (one for my horse and one for his field-mate) and got them ready to post. I was packaging up multiple tests at the same time as I’d also just completed the faecal sand test and worm count. Because I’d also taken everything out to photograph, it made things a little complicated when it came to checking I had all the correct paperwork with the correct packaging. But luckily everything is prepared for you as much as possible, so this would be a much simpler job if you were doing one test at a time.

The postage packet was pre-paid so I was able to get it in a postbox the same day. I posted them on a Friday and the results arrived in my email inbox on the Tuesday.

The results were easy to understand. In my case, both horses had “low” results, which meant I did not need to treat for tapeworm – I only needed to purchase Equest to treat for possible encysted redworm and bots. Usually at this time of year, my yard would suggest using Equest Pramox, which also treats tapeworm, so it was really good to know that I wasn’t worming unnecessarily this time around.

Verdict

H&H Approved – This test was easy to do and the results came back really quickly. Although the cost of the EquiSal Tapeworm Test is more than the difference between the two treatments I would be choosing between at this time of year, it was very nice to know that I wouldn’t be giving my horse additional drugs he didn’t need and that I was doing my bit to help wormer resistance.

I will make use of the EquiSal test again next year and I’ll be suggesting the other liveries on my yard do the same. And if we buy our tests together, it’ll cost less, too.

In the UK? View the EquiSal Tapeworm Test Kit now at viovet.co.uk

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Top eventer Piggy March is among those backing a campaign that urges owners to act on wormer resistance – before it is too late.

The Badminton and Burghley winner has given her support to CANTER – Controlling Antiparasitic resistance in Equines Responsibly – which is named to “communicate the urgency of its crusade”.

H&H reported on the group, the first of its kind, which aims to tackle the increasing threat that wormer resistance poses, to equine health and the equestrian industry. Piggy, with coach Miri Hackett and international endurance rider Anna Bridges, joined CANTER representatives for the launch, at the National Equine Show on 4 March.

“CANTER brings together voluntary representation from the widest reaches of the sector,” a spokesman for the group said. “These include leading experts in the field across prescribers, diagnostic providers, pharmaceutical companies, trade organisations, technical experts, horse owners, charities, and policymakers. All recognise the critical consequences of antiparasitic resistance and the need for coordinated action to slow the development of resistance and maintain efficacy of our limited treatments.”

Claire Stratford of the Government’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate, spearheaded the formation of the group.

“We’ve come so far in a short time and that’s down to the passion that so many people have brought to this project,” she said. “It’s really exciting to be working with experts and key opinion leaders to make progress on this serious issue. I hope that CANTER will raise awareness and stimulate action across the equine community towards sustainable parasite control.”

Dr Stratford added that the group’s aim is to become the trusted source of information for prescribers and horse owners, and to “facilitate informed discussion about this important aspect of horse health”.

At the start, the group is prioritising four main issues. It will publish best practice guidelines this year, to inform guidance on “sustainable, responsible, and practical strategies for parasite control in equines”.

It will produce faecal egg count guidance, which it is hoped will promote effective use of diagnostic and monitoring tools. A research arm has been formed and a communication strategy is being developed.

“The aim is to support a consistent approach to parasite control across the equine community and to become a ‘single source of truth’ on issues related to antiparasitic resistance in equines, in an area that has traditionally seen some mixed messaging,” the spokesman said.

Dr Stratford, Claire Shand of Westgate Labs and Claire Williams of the British Equestrian Trade Association launched the group with a presentation. They urged owners to assess parasite risks with prescribers, test to target treatment appropriately and poo-pick fields, all of which will reduce exposure to wormers and the development of resistance.

British Equine Veterinary Association president David Rendle, a strong voice in the campaign to reduce resistance, said: “Anthelmintic resistance represents a huge threat to equine health and welfare. Universal adoption of a diagnostic-led approach to parasite control and a dramatic reduction in the use of anthelmintics is what’s needed to address this, and I hope, what CANTER will provide the impetus for. If horse owners don’t make these changes now, it will be too late.

“Risk factors for parasite associated disease should always be considered when developing a plan for diagnostic-led parasite control, and diagnostics and treatments should be considered within that framework having already considered the risks. We have to get away from ad hoc use of egg counts and treatments.”

CANTER has developed a free resource for owners to assess their horses’ risk of parasite infection, which can be used to help inform the right action to take.

Piggy said: “I am supporting the CANTER initiative, which aims to reduce the threat worms pose to our horses. It is more important now than ever to ensure we are future-proofing our equine population in the UK. Go online and complete the risk checker to find out how at risk your horse is of getting parasites and to ensure we can all do our bit to keep our horses healthy.”

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Westgate Labs Horse Worm Egg Count Kit *H&H Approved*

£9.95

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The Horse Worm Egg Count Kit from Westgate Labs tests the infection levels of adult, egg-laying redworm and roundworm in equines, including horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. The test kit includes everything you need to collect the sample, and send it for laboratory testing, which is included in the cost of the kit.

The kit includes:
– a pot to collect a faecal sample for each horse
– an information leaflet
– a voucher for the lab tests
– a single compostable glove
– a single pre-paid envelope to send the sample(s) to the lab in one go

I’d collected samples previously, but my yard owner had just handed us the pots without instructions and it turns out I wasn’t doing it quite right – so if you’ve never read the instructions before I suggest you do so.

A compostable glove is provided

I collected five small samples (as directed) from different piles of poo using the glove provided – and put them all into one sample pot. I kept my horse in overnight to make this easier, but you can collect from the field if you know they’re fresh and don’t belong to one of your horse’s field-mates. It’s important to fill the sample pot right to the top and make sure there aren’t any air gaps.

The filled pot should have no air gaps

All you have to do then is write your horse’s name on the sticker provided (which handily reminds you to fill any gaps) and use it to secure the pot closed.

I filled in the voucher with my details and put it in the pre-paid and pre-addressed envelope along with the samples, which I could take straight to the postbox on the same day. I collected samples from my horse and his field-mate and they all went in the same envelope, which was great.

I posted on the Friday and the results arrived by email on Monday afternoon – you can’t get much quicker than that!

Both horses had a medium count. The results were explained in the email and I followed up with an Equest wormer due to the time of year. I also tested for tapeworm using the EquiSal tapeworm test – my results from this were negative, which meant we didn’t need to use the more expensive Equest Pramox. If you’re unsure about your results, there’s a free helpline you can call.

Verdict

H&H Approved – This test was easy to do and the results were really quick. Everything is provided for you and it really couldn’t be simpler. Not only is it cheaper than worming if you’re testing outside of Dec–Feb (all horses should be dosed with moxidectin wormer during this time), but testing helps to prevent wormer resistance, which is currently a significant issue, too.

In the UK? View the Horse Worm Egg Count Kit now at viovet.co.uk

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EquiSal Tapeworm Test review *H&H Approved*

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Horse & Hound’s essential guide to worms and deworming

Large numbers of horses will die if we do not change the way we worm

Owners warned of potential equine welfare ‘disaster’ if no action is taken

Enjoy 3 issues of Horse & Hound magazine for just £3

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.