ÿþ<HTML> <HEAD> <title>Westgate Labs - How our clients use counts in their worming programmes</title> <meta name="RATING" content="General"> <meta name="ROBOTS" content="index,follow"> <meta name="REVISIT-AFTER" content="7 days"> <META NAME="DESCRIPTION" CONTENT="Westgate Laboratories Postal Worm Egg Count Service. How our clients use worm egg counts to successfully care for their horses."> <META NAME="KEYWORDS" CONTENT="postal worm egg count,postal faecal egg count,worms, worm egg,worm egg count,faecal egg count,westgate labs,westgate laboratories,horse,parasite,small redworm,redworm,strongyles,equine,encysted,pasture,dung,pony,pyrantel,benzimidazole,fenbendazole,Equest,eqvalan,equimax,eraquell,equitape,equimax,resistance,pyratape,praziquantel,grazing,wormer,worming,strongid,panacur,panacurguard,worm larvae,herbal wormer,redworm,tapeworm,bots,postal,sample kit"> <style type="text/css"> <!-- --> </style> <script type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_swapImgRestore() { //v3.0 var i,x,a=document.MM_sr; for(i=0;a&&i<a.length&&(x=a[i])&&x.oSrc;i++) x.src=x.oSrc; } function MM_preloadImages() { //v3.0 var d=document; if(d.images){ if(!d.MM_p) d.MM_p=new Array(); var i,j=d.MM_p.length,a=MM_preloadImages.arguments; for(i=0; i<a.length; i++) if (a[i].indexOf("#")!=0){ d.MM_p[j]=new Image; d.MM_p[j++].src=a[i];}} } function MM_findObj(n, d) { //v4.01 var p,i,x; if(!d) d=document; if((p=n.indexOf("?"))>0&&parent.frames.length) { d=parent.frames[n.substring(p+1)].document; n=n.substring(0,p);} if(!(x=d[n])&&d.all) x=d.all[n]; for (i=0;!x&&i<d.forms.length;i++) x=d.forms[i][n]; for(i=0;!x&&d.layers&&i<d.layers.length;i++) x=MM_findObj(n,d.layers[i].document); if(!x && d.getElementById) x=d.getElementById(n); return x; } function MM_swapImage() { //v3.0 var i,j=0,x,a=MM_swapImage.arguments; document.MM_sr=new Array; for(i=0;i<(a.length-2);i+=3) if ((x=MM_findObj(a[i]))!=null){document.MM_sr[j++]=x; if(!x.oSrc) x.oSrc=x.src; x.src=a[i+2];} } //--> </script> <link href="../westgate-css/westgate.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><style type="text/css"> <!-- a:link { text-decoration: none; } a:visited { text-decoration: none; } a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } a:active { text-decoration: none; } --> </style></HEAD> <BODY LEFTMARGIN=0 TOPMARGIN=0 MARGINWIDTH=0 MARGINHEIGHT=0 onLoad="MM_preloadImages('../images/tm-order2.gif','../images/tm-ourservices2.gif','../images/tm-infoz2.gif','../images/tm-home2.gif')"> <!-- DO NOT MOVE! 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So who are you? </span><span class="arial-main-homezone">Single horse or pony owners, yard owners with sixty or more horses in your care, proffessional and amateur competition riders, donkey owners, riding schools, vets, horse charities, studs all use Westgate Labs. </span></p> <p><span class="trebuchet-main">We have a tremendously loyal customer base (thank you!) and some of you have been with us since we first began. </span><span class="trebuchet-main">We love to hear about your horses and especially how using worm egg counts has helped you to care for your animals. </span></p> <p><span class="trebuchet-main"><a href="http://www.mediawebz.co.uk/emwuk.org.uk/"><img src="../images/link-logos/emw-logo.gif" alt="Equine Market Watch" width="67" height="76" hspace="10" vspace="10" border="0" class="thinborderfloat"></a>We would like to invite you to contribute your stories and pictures of your horses to this page. We can t promise to use them all but will make a donation of £5.00 to Equine Market Watch for each one which appears on this page. You can read more about EMW, a registered charity <a href="http://www.mediawebz.co.uk/emwuk.org.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></p> <p><br> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/spotty.jpg" width="288" height="300" class="noborderfloatright">I ve had my horse for 2 yrs, and he was brought as a 5yr old from a stud. I began a worming programme with my present yard when after a year the talk of worm counts came about. I decided to try the system and his original count came back as 2500, on the last 2 occasions it has been 100 and 50. #</p> <p>The service is very easy to use with a quick response and I would encourage horse owners to make use of the service and not to be under the assumption that because they worm their horses it doesn t necessarily mean they are worm free. If anything it is peace of mind, and on finding the horse has a high worm count it s easy to get the right guidance on what wormers to use also.</p> <p>Many Thanks, <strong>Tracy</strong> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/ella.jpg" width="350" height="300" class="noborderfloatleft"></p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I thought you might be interested to see the results of your help:</p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Ella, a foal adopted from a rescue sanctuary in January, was treated routinely with Equimax with my 4 other horses.<br> In March Westgate did egg counts on all horses. All except Ella had &lt; 50 eggs pg, but Ella had 4000 ascarid eggs and 900 redworm. <br> </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">On advice I treated Ella with Pyratape P and the attached photo shows the result, except I got a wheelbarrow full of what you see!! Yuk! poor Ella. I thought she was full of beans, now i know she was full of snakes. A good reason to do egg counts and not just routine worming.<br> <br> Regards <strong>Charlie<br> <br> </strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left">You are a wee star! Thank you so much for sending this so quickly. I only posted it yesterday morning. As you may know I&rsquo;ve had some really high results of late, so the below is absolutely fantastic news. Also, a huge thank you to Gillian for all her help to date, Westgate has been absolutely fab and I couldn&rsquo;t recommend you enough! <p>Kind regards, <strong>Samantha</strong></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-blue"><img src="../images/clients/michelle-c.jpg" width="350" height="300" class="noborderfloatright"></p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I have found using worm counts extremely effective. I only worm when I need to and I've been surprised to find I need to worm far less frequently than I used to before using the worm counts. The cost of the worm count is far less than what I would have spent on unnecessary wormers, not to mention the affects of unnecessary worming on my horse. I have also found Westgate Labs to be unbelievably fast, efficient &amp; friendly. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue"><strong>Michelle Charman</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/jamie-edward.jpg" width="350" height="300" class="noborderfloatleft"></p> <p>Please find attached a picture of Jamie and Edward, both World Horse Welfare shetlands that I took on loan approximately 5 years ago. I've used worm counts for the first time ever for all of my 5 equines and am really pleased to so that 3 don't need worming and the other two have a medium and low count. It's put my mind a rest that I'm doing the right thing. Many thanks.</p> <p><strong>Joy Blundell</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-blue" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><span class="arial-main-blue"><img src="../images/clients/margrit.jpg" width="350" height="300" class="noborderfloatright"></span></p> <p><span class="arial-main-blue">Attached is a picture of my German Warmblood Cassio on a beach ride in Wales. </span></p> <p>I've been using Verm-X for many years now and have done 3 worm counts in total and the result was always no eggs seen or medium count. </p> <p><strong>Margrit Seyffer</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/kokopelia.jpg" width="350" height="300" class="noborderfloatleft"></p> <p>The first thing I do to prevent worms, is cleaning three times a day the stables!!! </p> <p>Every time I did the worm counts Callisto, here on the right has more eggs then Sirius. Because, this "Big Boy" is always with his nose looking for something on the ground so I keep clean as much as I can, changing the straw regularly. </p> <p>And then of course deworming, usually twice a year, and when it's needed three times. I tried the tablets "Eraquelle" and it was so easy to deworm them. Apparently after the counts the result was fine!<br> <br> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-blue">It is the first time I have gone down this route and I have been very impressed by the very clear information about worming that Westgate Labs provides. Using different wormers over the years and trying to keep up with current information is a bit of a minefield and I have really appreciated the very readable information you produce. Plus I was very pleased to know that my horses have virtually no worms! </p> <p class="arial-main-blue"><strong>Sue Pinks</strong><br> <img src="../images/clients/sue-pinks.jpg" width="600" height="260"></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p>I've found worm counts THE most single useful development in horse management in modern times. For example, this year I will only have wormed once using a broad spectrum wormer which includes the fight against tapeworms and bots. I use Verm-X monthly then send samples to Westgate every 2 to 3 months. During the drought summer about 3 years ago, one of my horses went from a count of 200 to 3000 over about 5 months, hence my 'worm' routine which has proved successful. The collection of samples, posting and receiving results is easy and not expensive with the added advantage of not continuously giving your horses poisons.</p> <p><strong>Anne Kibble</strong>, Wales </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-blue">The pictures below are of Shilvodan Castana taken only 6 weeks apart. Worm counts are an invaluable part of my overall health problem. Over the years, I have taken in numerous rescue cases. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">One was a in 2005 (Skye). She was very poorly and wormed frequently. After 3 years, she was of course much fatter but had seemed to reach a plateau. We got her worm counted via our vet who following the worm count, asked if the mare had ever been wormed as her count was so high. It frightened me as I had been worming her every 6 to 8 weeks (dependant on wormer). I was recommended Verm-X, and am very pleased to see an <50 epg worm count.</p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Shilvodan Castana ("Cassie") having only been with us a short time has only been wormed with Verm-X once. I am glad to see her worm count is medium, but am looking forward to further worm counts to ensure her health is always at its best. There isn't much point in feeding the worms!! I will continue to use Verm-X and worm counts, and will be recommending their use to my clients. <strong>Gemma Murdock</strong></p> <p class="arial-main-homezone"><strong><img src="../images/clients/cassie.jpg" alt="Sisco &amp; Rosie" width="600" height="300"></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-homezone"><br> Thank you for sending the worm count results. Really pleased that they have excellent low counts and amazed how fast the results came in. Email results is a really good idea especially with the postal service at present.</p> <p class="arial-main-homezone"><strong>Jenny with Ginger & Badger </strong></p> <p class="arial-main-blue"><strong><img src="../images/clients/ginger&badger.jpg" alt="Ginger &amp; Badger grazing" width="600" height="250" border="0"></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-blue"><br> <img src="../images/clients/pip-mya.JPG" alt="Pip &amp; Mya lazing in the field" width="290" height="218" class="noborderfloatright">Here is a photo of Pip and Mya lazing in the field.... I have often wondered whether I'm wasting my money regularly deworming my two horses as they are fed good quality hay and their field is poo picked by me on a daily basis. Thats why I jumped at the opportunity to try out worm-counts, and I'm glad I did. I have already saved myself money. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Kind regards <strong>Tania</strong> <br> <br> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-homezone"><br> My daughter Nic and I have three horses between us  two part-bred Arabs, aged 19 and 23, and a pure bred Arab aged 3. We keep our horses on a small acreage, and pick up droppings usually daily, and at least four times a week. </p> <p class="arial-main-homezone">We had routinely wormed our older horses every eight  ten weeks with chemical wormers throughout their lives, but had always wondered if there was a  better way . On discovering a  herbal internal parasite control treatment after moving down to Exmoor, we decided to try this, but needed to check that it was working. Regular  worm counts by Westgate Labs have provided the answer! We now worm the two older horses only twice a year, to catch out any encysted redworms and possible tapeworms. </p> <p class="arial-main-homezone">Our youngster has been a different kettle of fish! Despite worming as soon as he arrived, aged 18 months, when we had a worm count done on him, he had a high score and needed another dose of wormer. A repeat worm count proved low, and he was put on the same regime as the older horses. A few months later another high count alerted us to the fact that he was not mature enough to cope without regular wormers yet. Now aged three, we have got on top of the worms burden for the moment, and will continue to monitor it with the help of Westgate Labs, whilst hopefully moving towards a less chemically orientated worming programme. </p> <p class="arial-main-homezone"><strong>Barbara and Nic with Wimpy, CFS Astreled (Freddie) and Zara </strong></p> <p class="arial-main-blue"><strong><img src="../images/clients/wimpy-freddie-zara.jpg" alt="Wimpy, Freddie and Zara" width="600" height="250" border="0"></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-blue">Thank you so much. Attached are some pictures of my ponies. I was worried about Rosie as she is quite young and hadn t had regular worming before I bought her. Now my mind is at ease! I will definitely be using your service again! Many Thanks <strong>Clare, Sisco and Rosie</strong></p> <p class="arial-main-blue"><strong><img src="../images/clients/sisco-rosie.jpg" alt="Sisco &amp; Rosie" width="600" height="230"></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"> <p><img src="../images/clients/Herbie_and_Donny.jpg" alt="Herbie &amp; Donny" width="290" height="250" class="noborderfloatleft"><br> I keep both my cobs together and pooh pick regularly. Since using wormcounts from Westgate I have been able to have peace of mind knowing that they are both clear of worms and not wormed unnecessarily. Gillian and David are both very helpful and willing to give advice on wormers which I find very helpful. </p> <p>Where my horses are kept the yard usually send the pooh samples to the vet to test but I have always been clear that I would continue to use Westgate because they are the experts in this field. Westgate send me an email giving me the results which I give to the owner of the yard for his peace of mind. <strong>Vanessa Hopkins</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-blue"><img src="../images/clients/mcguinness.jpg" alt="Using worm counts with herbal wormers" width="280" height="224" class="noborderfloatright"><br> Hi there I just received my latest worm count result and as usual am delighted to find it is again a low count. I now worm my horse with herbal wormers in November and May and do a count in August and February to check how things are. He is looking really well and I have peace of mind knowing that I am keeping an eye on things. I have attached a photo of my horse who is about 20 now 15.2hh thoroughbred cross. <strong>Sue </strong></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/tom-henry.jpg" alt="Tom &amp; Henry" width="280" height="237" class="noborderfloatleft">This is Tom & Henry, they live in my front garden and i try to keep them as naturally as I am able. They live out 24/7 until the weather gets nasty wet and cold in the winter then they sleep-in at night  still having a minimum of 14 hours grazing. </p> <p>They have access to their yard and stables always and 4 haybars full of premium packaged haylage to  graze from every day. I use 14 times dust extracted and scented bedding and vacuum their stables regularly to keep the dust at bay. I poo pick every day rain or shine and keep their pasture as clean and well maintained as possible. so if there s something I can do to make their lives happier, I ll do it. </p> <p>I have never liked the idea of pumping drugs into them  but also like the idea less of them having worms. So this year I started to wormcount. I have done this in spring and summer  worming them as usual in between. Both times they have been clear so I  m very happy. Westgate provide a fast service and email me the results in a few days. It s easy, cheaper than worming every 13 weeks, and it s much nicer for he boys too, they don t really like being wormed! </p> <p>Thank you Westgate, I  ll keep sending you the poo!! </p> <p><strong>Shelley in Essex, Tom & Henry</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-blue"><img src="../images/clients/codi.jpg" alt="Cody and Verdi" width="280" height="463" class="noborderfloatright">This is a picture of <strong>Cody</strong>, 16.2hh Dutch Warm Blood (top) and Verdi. Cody is now 16 yrs old. I have been worming with ALL 'recommended' wormers her entire life. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">On April 9th this year, my boy <strong>Verdi</strong> died, He was a beautiful 15.1hh Arab x Connemara and I had the honour to look after Verdi for 29 years. Up to the last 2 years he had the regular 8 week wormer, which he hated by the way. At 27 he started showing slight colicy signs straight after I administered a wormer. His death was quick, on the 8th April he was cantering over for his dinner, then after 24 hours of pain killers and two drenches he died peacefully, he did not have colic, his stomach lining had perforated. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I have not wormed Cody since, so her last wormer was Jan 2009. All dung is collected every day, it has been that way for 29 years, Cody's worm count was low very low, so maybe, just maybe, if i had had Verdi's done a long time ago, he would have needed a lot less of the toxic chemicals, maybe he would still be with me. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Regards <strong>Mel</strong> <br> Unfortunately I only have digital pictures of my Verdi as an old man, but he was a splendid looking young man. </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"> <p><img src="../images/clients/kaira.jpg" alt="Kaira" width="280" height="250" class="noborderfloatleft"></p> <p>Attached a photo of me and <strong>Kaira</strong>. I was advised to use the service as Kaira's condition is not the best at the moment. She has a large belly and not a very good topline. I was told she might be intolerant to the worming method I am using. Anyway as the count is low it rules this out. I've changed her diet and with working her more often and her shape is improving, coming home from every show with a prize. Thanks for your prompt service, <strong>Pamela</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-blue"> <img src="../images/clients/lanton_ride_2008.jpg" alt="As farmers converting to organic methods, it is now even more important to only worm as required" width="280" height="250" class="noborderfloatright"><strong>Worm counts and pasture management </strong></p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I've been using the worm count service for 3 years for around 12 horses, mainly because I don't believe in worming in a fixed routine as it's not always necessary. The service is quick & easy to use - particularly now it's pre-paid postage so I don't have to go to the post office!!</p> <p class="arial-main-blue">It's worked out an economical way to deal with the worming issue. We have seldom found a horse to have worms during this time, usually just youngsters. As farmers converting to organic methods, it is now even more important to only worm as required. We cross graze with cattle & sheep but don't lift droppings as our fields are quite big. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">As tapeworm is not as easy to detect, each animal is given a tapeworm treatment in the Autumn. So far everyone looks well on it. New horses to they yard are sampled /wormed on arrival before being turned out. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Thanks <strong>Karen</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/rio.jpg" alt="Rio used worm counts to save unecessary chemicals at a time of stress" width="254" height="205" class="noborderfloatleft">This is my horse <strong>Rio</strong> who is recovering from a very serious leg injury - he has been hospitalised for a number of months receiving antibiotics and pain killers. He was due to be wormed according to my normal worming routine but I was concerned about putting more chemicals in his system at a time when he was still unwell. Your worm count provided me with a <50 epg which was great news - so I do not need to worm now until Autumn. </p> <p>Many thanks, from <strong>Lu and Rio</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/ruby.jpg" alt="Ruby has regular worm counts " width="280" height="227" class="noborderfloatright"></p> <p class="arial-main-blue">My opinion on worm counts was <em>'why didnt I think of doing this sooner'</em> as it is great way to monitor your horse holistically and allows you to worm when necessary. This not only saves money but is better for your horse. I will be using this method all the time and recommend this to all my friends. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Thanks <strong>Sarah Allerton-Austin</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/miniature-donkeys.jpg" alt="Miniature donkeys use worm counts too!" width="300" height="256" class="noborderfloatleft"><strong>Some of our smallest - and cutest customers!</strong></p> <p>&quot;Here is a picture of my girls, they are miniature donkeys. To be registered they must not grow over 36 inches and can live up to 50 years of age. The dog in the picture is a Jack Russell so that gives you an idea of how small they are!!! </p> <p>Since having worm counts for them I have reduced their worming programme to twice a year to cover for tape and red worm. Having the counts and good field management certainly gives you reassurance throughout the year that infestation from worms is kept to a minimum.&quot; Kind regards <strong>Helen Tapere</strong></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/emmie&ferryman.jpg" alt="Emmie &amp; Ferryman, who both use worm counts to reduce their worming" width="280" height="438" class="noborderfloatleft"></p> <p class="arial-main-blue">&nbsp;</p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Please find attached, pictures of my two horses <strong>Emmie</strong> and <strong>Ferryman</strong>. Both now veterans at age 25 and 17 respectively. I have been using Westgate worm count service for a few years now and only need to have the ponies tested once a year in high summer as they are both consistently 'worm free'. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I still follow the programme for tape worms and encysted worms, but the wormer bills are greatly reduced and my ponies have to swallow less chemicals. They are in great shape as I am sure you will agree. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue"><strong>Gill Dixon</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p>I have attached pictures of my horses <strong>CFS Avalon, CFS Baluq and Satin Moth</strong>. I would like to say a huge thankyou to Westgate Labs for their service, I have just used a worm count for the first time and am delighted to find not only that my worming programme has worked up until now but also that I can adjust it to suit my horses better and help to stop resistance to the wormers used. The peace of mind is brilliant and I will definitley now be following regular testing so I can continue to target my worming plan. Thankyou for a fast, efficient and friendly service. <strong>Kristin Smith</strong></p> <p align="center"><img src="../images/clients/avalon.jpg" alt="Avalon, Baluq and Satin, all on a targeted worming programme using worm egg counts " width="600" height="264"></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/merrylegs.jpg" alt="Merrylegs had a worm count to check her worm burden when she first arrived" width="331" height="264" class="noborderfloatleft"></p> <p><br> <strong>Merrylegs</strong> came feral off Exmoor at 6 months old so it's great to be able to do the worm count and know whether she's carrying a heavy worm burden and if our worming programme has been successful. She is now a year old so it's good to keep her happy and healthy. I've attached a picture of her.</p> <p><strong>Kerry</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/hoocho.jpg" alt="Hoocho changed his worming programme as a result of his worm count result" width="331" height="264" class="noborderfloatright"> </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">&nbsp;</p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Thanks to Westgate Labs <strong>Hoocho</strong> my grade A showjumper who we imported from Spain is now doing tremendous. We used your worm count kit , which indicated we needed to change our worming programme. He now looks amazing will definately recommend you to all of our friends and will continue to use your valuable service. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Kind regards <strong>Miss C Lee-Jones</strong> at Lutley Lane Livery, West Midlands</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/bilbo.jpg" alt="Worm counts are a great management tool for older horses like Bilbo " width="354" height="274" class="noborderfloatleft"></p> <p><strong>Using worm egg counts for older horses</strong></p> <p>We are very happy to be using worm counts as part of our worm control. During 3 years of conducting counts it turns out my 22 y.o. laminitis prone gelding <strong>Bilbo</strong> is very good at controlling his own worm burden and comes in at a count of <50 every time. </p> <p>My horse tends to be on the thin side because he is no longer able to digest his food the way he used to and it is reassuring to know he does not have a worm problem. Older horses become more expensive to keep so the fact that he has such a low worm count really helps keeps costs down because I only need to use a chemical wormer once a year for tapeworms although I do still use a herbal wormer too. I also don't have to worry about wormers potentially upsetting his gut balance for the rest of the year. </p> <p><strong>Carin Robinson</strong> <br> Bingley</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/mowgli.jpg" alt="Mowgli uses worm counts to reduce worming doses" width="375" height="319" class="noborderfloatright"></p> <p><br> My name is <strong>Mowgli</strong> I enjoyed the snow! </p> <p>My owner always checks my worm count prior to worming so that she does not give me medication unessesarily she is very impressed with the prompt srvice sometimes less than 24hours to get results.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/Bertie.jpg" alt="Bertie's new worm count regime!" width="270" height="343" class="noborderfloatleft"></p> <p class="arial-main-blue"><br> &quot;Hi Gillian Thank you for your prompt reply  what a good service! This is my Dartmoor pony <strong>Bertie</strong>, he lives on a school farm, so has been sharing pasture with the sheep over winter, but has been in his own field since the ewes went in to lamb in March. The pigs are out of the barn too and when Bertie saw them for the first time, he stood 13.2hh! (he is only 12.2hh).This photo was taken on his 14th birthday in April 2009; in October I will have had him 10 wonderful years. This is the first time I have used a worm count, but will certainly keep to this new regime.&quot;</p> <p class="arial-main-blue"> Best wishes, <strong>Carol </strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/max.jpg" alt="Max and Kheil" width="423" height="251" class="noborderfloatleft"><strong>Pamela, Kheil and Max</strong></p> <p> I&nbsp;have not used the word count service before but after purchasing Maximilian, a yearling Arab colt from France and&nbsp;him using the same paddock as my gelding, thought I had better get a worm check done. </p> <p>The process is very simple to do and I was surprised at how quickly I got the results back. Great to see that both had &lt;50 epg.&nbsp; I will therefore look at delaying the next worming as they are not showing any at present.&nbsp; Saves me money and I can rest assured that my worming programme is working and my grazing is clean.</p> <p>Thank you very much for a great service and giving me peace of mind. Attached are photos of Maximilian and my 16&nbsp;year old gelding Saiyid El Kheil at my Wedding who are related, hence the trek to France to get the Maleik El Kheil bloodlines! Many thanks, <strong>Pamela</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/Iris.jpg" alt="Iris and Lou" width="268" height="426" class="noborderfloatright"> <span class="arial-main-blue"><strong>Meet Janice's horses, Iris &amp; Libby:</strong></span></p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I own two horses, Iris, a 23 year old heavy weight cob mare and Libby a 14 year old cob X TB mare.&nbsp; I have owned Iris for nearly 15 years and Libby is her daughter and was born with us.&nbsp; I used to keep my them on a livery yard where I adhered to a veterinary advised worming programme.&nbsp; Eight years ago I moved to my own field and stables. The field is routinely cleared of droppings on a daily basis and I am lucky I can rest some of the pasture and use my hay field section for winter turn out.&nbsp; </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I thought that now I was more in control of things I would relax my usual worming programme. I recently heard about getting a worm count done and Westgate Labs was recommended to me. I thought it would be a very good way of finding out&nbsp;if and when my horses actually need worming and like the idea of not putting unnecessary chemicals into them if it can be avoided. I was very pleased with the prompt results I received which have given me a very good indication that my field management and worming system is working.&nbsp; I will now continue to monitor my horses using a worm count backed up by only worming when my horses need it.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><strong>Helena's horses Pysen and Nanyuki</strong></p> <p> Thank you for the quick service! Using worm counts has for me been very cost effective, especially after I found your website. And it's a wonderful way of getting proof that it's really worth doing all that poo-picking! </p> <p align="right"><strong>Helena &Ouml;hmark</strong>, Sweden</p> <p><img src="../images/clients/pysen-and-nanyuki.jpg" alt="Pysen and Nanyuki" width="600" height="223"></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/robin-and-nina.jpg" alt="Robin and Nina's worm counted horses" width="300" height="223" class="noborderfloatleft"></p> <p class="arial-main-blue">We use worm counts simply to avoid the unnecessary use of chemical in our horses, and the potential build-up of resistance to them. We have our own paddock which is poo-picked daily, and it is not good for horses, soil or wildlife to use more chemicals than is essential.</p> <p><span class="arial-main-blue"><strong>Robin &amp; Nina </strong></span><BR> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/Oscar-and-Lou.jpg" alt="Oscar and Lou use worm egg counts" width="221" height="166" class="noborderfloatleft"><strong>I've sent you a picture of my horses Oscar and Lucy. </strong></p> <p>Oscar was my first horse and when I got him I was told he was up to date with his worming programme but I decided to do a worm count on him anyway just to check. His count came back as a high count of 1500 eggs seen and with a count that high I rang up Westgate and had a chat about the best course of action. I was advised to give him a 5 day panacur treatment as the count was so high. Since then he has had regular worm counts carried out and has only had to have minimal wormers which is great. A few months after I bought Oscar we then bought Lucy and she undergoes exactly the same worm counts and has never had any eggs seen. Lucy has recently been put on loan but stays at the same yard in the same field and Karen who loans her has been told about Westgate Labs and is now using the service in conjunction with Oscar.</p> <p> I think the service is great, the results are fast and I always ring up just to confirm that I'm using the correct wormers. Thanks, <strong>Kathryn</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/cach-draghunting.jpg" alt="Cach Drag Hunting" width="350" height="303" class="noborderfloatright"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="arial-main-blue"><strong>&quot;YOU DON'T GET THIS AMOUNT OF ENERGY IF YOU ARE NOT WORM FREE... </strong></p> <p><span class="arial-main-blue">Carrying out regular worm egg counts is important for all horses no matter what they do in life! </span><span class="arial-main-blue">&quot;</span></p> <p align="right"><span class="arial-main-blue"><strong>Hazel</strong></span><BR> <BR> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><img src="../images/clients/frank.jpg" alt="Frank" width="292" height="337" class="noborderfloatleft">I purchased my shire Frank in July 2008. He was quite underweight and pot bellied towards the end of the summer. The last thing I wanted was for him to go into the winter in poor condition. I removed him from a herd of 22 horses in November and started his worming program, where my local stockist suggested worm counts. Frank has been on good grazing all winter and is looking much healthier. I think a good worming program is important especially for a young horse of 4, to prevent any internal damage.<BR> <BR> <strong>Tracy</strong> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/nelson-luso.jpg" alt="Nelson - Lusitano Stallion" width="350" height="345" class="noborderfloatright"> </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Thanks for the prompt result. As you will know, I have used your sevice for some time, mainly for my Lusitano stallion Venturoso Repoula - stable name Nelson.&nbsp; So far you have never detected any eggs in his droppings, so I have not needed to use a chemical wormer.&nbsp; Species selective they may be, but they are still poisons, and I would always prefer not to use them if possible and my horse always looks a picture! </p> <p><span class="arial-main-blue"><strong>Jenny Myerscough</strong> <a href="http://www.southwaleslusitanos.co.uk" target="_blank"><strong>www.southwaleslusitanos.co.uk</strong></a></span> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><strong>Our healthy happy 8year old Connemara cross horse "Finn"</strong><img src="../images/clients/fin.jpg" alt="Finn" width="292" height="229" class="noborderfloatleft"> </p> <p><br> Thankyou for my worm count result. I have decided to start using this service as my daughter has started university doing veterinary studies. It was on her advice that we worm our horse relevant to "need" rather than routine. I agree with her that it makes much more sense to worm the horse for the actual parasites present than just "routinely" pouring chemicals into him. <strong>Linda </strong></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/scope_2008_010.jpg" alt="'Fliss' and Evie at BSJA Scope Festival 2008" width="292" height="300" class="noborderfloatright"></p> <p><span class="arial-main-blue"><EM>Thank you for your very speedy response after sending the sample to you.&nbsp; It was good to know that both ponies were less than 50 epg as we carry out strict paddock management - picking up poo weekly in the depths of winter and at least 5 times a week in summer.&nbsp; This low count&nbsp;makes all those wheelbarrow loads seem worthwhile!!&nbsp; Whilst I do believe modern medicine has it's place, I really prefer this way to count and then treat accordingly.&nbsp; I'd recommend everyone to count first and treat with knowledge</EM>. &nbsp;Thanks, <strong>Jane</strong> </span></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p align="center"><img src="../images/clients/christmas_card_2008.jpg" alt="Tina Christmas Card" width="500" height="303"></p> <p>&quot;These are my three horses - I would never consider worming any of them without first getting a worm count as I don&rsquo;t feel it is necessary to worm unless they actually need worming.&nbsp; Since using Westgate Labs to do my worm counting I only worm twice a year.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s reassuring to know your horses worm count so you can worm accordingly.&quot; <strong>Tina</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-blue" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/vickieb.jpg" alt="Vickie" width="300" height="300" class="noborderfloatleft"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&quot;I think carrying out a worm count is the way forward to ensure your horse is happy and healthy at the end of the day they cant tell you they have worms so this is&nbsp;good way of knowing exactly what is happening inside your horse. </p> <p>Excellent and speedy service thank you,&quot; <BR> &nbsp;<BR> <strong>Vickie B.</strong><BR> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-blue" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><strong>Pippa and Willow</strong></p> <p>Please find attached a couple of pictures of Willow. He is 30 years old and an Irish Thoroughbred, and I ride him three or four time a week. I keep Willow at home and he is out during the day and in at night and I clean the fields every day, for this reason I use a worm count rather than worming him every six weeks. I worm him four times a year but I do not like using wormers too often at his age and as his worm counts always come back with 'no eggs seen' this routine seems to be working.</p> <p><img src="../images/clients/pippa-willow1.jpg" alt="Willow" width="600" height="288"></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-blue" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="arial-main-homezone"><strong>How Angela benefits from using worm counts;</strong></p> <p class="arial-main-homezone">I started using Westgate labs about a year ago, and have complete piece of mind.&nbsp; I have never been a believer in using wormers regularly over the years, my grey mare showed no eggs at all on the first use of worm egg count and only wormed her for tapeworm in the past about once a year.&nbsp; However after my bay came discovered that she had a medium count and after treatment for this now has had a nil count twice an I thank god the worms she had were not immune to the treatment.&nbsp;</p> <p class="arial-main-homezone">I cannot believe that I see so many livery yards still insisting that all horses be wormed every 8 weeks, surely a better idea would be to ask owners who are bringing their horses to yards to have a worm count in the first instance and have them treated accordingly!&nbsp; Money well spent I say and cheaper than worming every 8 weeks and just hoping you kill all the worms!</p> <p><img src="../images/clients/angela1.jpg" alt="Angela uses worm counts to reduce her worming" width="600" height="288"></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-blue" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><img src="../images/clients/Jaffa.jpg" alt="Jaffa grazing" width="300" height="250" class="noborderfloatright"><strong>Sarah Cox uses worm egg counts...</strong> </p> <p>Jaffa is rising a very respectable 31 years and currently living out his semi-retirement on his own 3 acres with panoramic views across the Bourne Valley in North Hampshire!&nbsp; Like most responsible horseowners, I do take care to pick up all droppings, rotate his grazing and to worm him regularly.&nbsp; However, owing to his age the threat of worm infestation and the detrimental effects it can have on the health of my best equine friend, is of added concern so I use Westgate Labs for that extra 'peace of mind'.&nbsp; Your service is professional; well thought out, simple and straightforward and above all, fast.&nbsp; Keep up the good work!</p> <p><br> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="trebuchet-main"><strong><span class="arial-main-homezone"><img src="../images/clients/bridget.jpg" alt="Bridget with Reggie and Ginella" width="300" height="521" class="noborderfloatleft"></span></strong></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone">&quot;Hi Gillian,</span></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone"> Many thanks for the result. Just thought you might like to hear this story about my horses and worms. I started using your service about 4 years ago, after getting fed up with the cost of wormers. </span></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone"> I started to have the dung tests, and dumped the wormers except for tapeworm treatment. I might add at this point that my horses are kept at home, and droppings picked up from the field every day. Ever since I started having the dung tested I have never once had a positive egg count. That is until this time. </span></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone">Back in August, a neighbour came to me and said she had two old thoroughbreds and needed a field for them as she was being evicted from her current place. As I had 7 acres of very lush grazing which was unsuitable for my laminitic Andalusian mare, I allowed her to use half of this, the other half being saved for hay. Within a couple of weeks the field was covered in dung as she NEVER picked up any of the droppings. After providing a wheelbarrow and threats that she would have to move them, she made a token gesture of picking up some of the droppings, but the field was never really cleared on a regular basis as it had been done prior to her using it. </span></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone">My groom and myself suspected that these two thoroughbreds were a bit wormy to say the least, although the owner insisted that she had wormed them. Eventually I managed to move her on, and had the field topped as the grass was rather long. Of course by this time it was impossible to clean the field properly what with all the topped grass, etc. so I decided to leave it until next year. However, my summer grazing was just about eaten out, and I felt I really had to use the field even though I did not want to. </span></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone"> After a few weeks, with the weather turning colder, I noticed that Reggie (age 21 and previously a good doer) was not keeping condition in the way that he used to. Although he certainly does not look thin, and I am careful that he does not get overweight, I really felt that I was having to give him far more food that I ever have had to before, in order to just maintain condition. So I had an egg count done. And guess what, Reggie is showing a positive result. Albeit only low, and certainly nothing to worry about, but for the first time EVER in the last four years. </span></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone">The only thing which has changed in his management is the fact that other horses have been on a field which he is now grazing. Needless to say, I won't be doing anybody similar sorts of favours again. I have ordered the wormers and of course both horses will be treated. I must say though, I have found the laboratory service very simple, quick and useful. It has certainly changed my worm management and I am happy to think that I am not stuffing my horses full of expensive and unnecessary chemicals. </span></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone">Many thanks,<br> </span><span class="arial-main-homezone"> Bridget Chaplin </span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><strong><span class="arial-main-blue"><img src="../images/clients/gaby-greco-tags.jpg" alt="Greco and Tags owned by Gaby" width="300" height="777" class="noborderfloatright"></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span class="arial-main-blue">Gaby Ochsenbein's pride and joy - Greco and Tags<br> <br> </span></strong><span class="arial-main-blue"> Tags, a 40 year old bay New Forest pony and Greco, a 22 year old 16 dark bay, ex-race horse are both unwanted rescue animals. Very much loved they live out their retirement years in a luxurious 4 acre field with constant access to a 3 stable block and are cared for every morning and evening by yours truly. </span></p> <p><span class="arial-main-blue">For the past couple of years I have used Verm-X, the natural, gentle worming method and about once a year send off for a worm count. In addition to both looking healthy and feeling well enough to gallop across the fields, they both have a very low worm count. I must be doing something right! </span></p> <p><span class="arial-main-blue">For health reasons I am no longer able to ride but still manage to look after my boys. Greco and Tags are thoroughly spoilt with twice daily feeds incl carrots, suede, parsnips and apple as well as polo and Hilton Herb ball treats for dessert. In return they give my arthritic body a reason to get out of bed at 6 every day. </span></p> <p><span class="arial-main-blue">The boys, my 2 dogs and 1 cat are the best physical and emotional therapy anyone could wish for, even during the long, dark and wet winter months! </span></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="trebuchet-main"><strong><span class="arial-main-homezone">Lucy and Embers </span></strong></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone">&quot;Worm counts have helped to provide me with not only an alternative to constant worming, but also peace of mind. I work count approximately four or more times a year, in order to keep an eye on the number of worms in my horses system. When I first got my horse, he was 13 years old, and as a slightly older gent, I prefer to try and reduce the number of chemicals he is exposed to. Thanks Westgate for providing such a great service!&quot; <br> </span><img src="../images/clients/lucy.jpg" alt="Lucy and Embers" width="600" height="289"></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><strong><span class="arial-main-blue"><img src="../images/clients/david-broadbent.jpg" alt="David and Woody" width="300" height="252" class="noborderfloatleft">David Broadbent and Woody discover the benefits of targeted worming using worm egg counts <br> <br> </span></strong><span class="arial-main-blue"> After being on a yard with a strict worming programme and poo picking regime, Woody was found to have a high worm count by our vet. Our new yard recommended me to Westgate Labs and their testing kits. My first results have just come back and show he has a low strongyle count. This allows me to specifically target that type of worm and reassures me that the count is low. This is far better than the old regime he was forced on by the last yard, which was obviously ineffective.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="trebuchet-main"><strong><span class="arial-main-homezone"><img src="../images/clients/cotswold-joe.jpg" alt="Cotswold Joe" width="300" height="273" class="noborderfloatright">Kerry Maidment and Cotswold Joe</span></strong></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone">&quot;I am a single horse owner, and when I bought my horse I was unsure what wormer to use, its a minefield, there are so many different ones, then a friend recommended Westgate Labs, I thought it was a great idea, rather than put unnecessary drugs into my horse, I could treat him instead on a need only basis. I have always found them highly reliable, my horse shares his field with sheep and sometimes cows so worming is an essential part of his care, and luckily he has never had to be wormed other than once a year. All the information you need comes with the worm kit in the leaflet.. I would recommend this to every rider!&quot;<br> <br> </span></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><strong><span class="arial-main-blue"><img src="../images/clients/braithwell-equitation-centr.jpg" alt="Braithwell Equitation Centre Horses" width="234" height="331" class="noborderfloatright">Regular Poo Picking really DOES pay off - thats the message from Braithwell Equitation Centre! <br> <br> </span></strong><span class="arial-main-blue"> They use worm counts along with good pasture management to keep their horses (and their cow!) healthy. </span></p> <p><span class="arial-main-blue">Many thanks to Derek from Kate Meadows Livery (which is based at the Equitation Centre) for putting together this eye catching and informative letter, we love it! </span></p> <p><span class="arial-main-blue">&gt;&gt; <a href="../our-services/download-files/POO.pdf">Read the full document here as a .pdf </a></span></p> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="trebuchet-main"><strong><span class="arial-main-homezone"><img src="../images/clients/freydis.jpg" alt="Freydis" width="300" height="240" vspace="10" class="noborderfloatleft">My Happy Zero Worm Count Horses! <br> </span></strong><span class="arial-main-homezone"> <br> Pictured is Freydís (foreground) with Sefton and Þokki behind. Owner Julie Baker says: &quot;Worm counting in place of using worming drugs indiscriminately has saved me some money and prevented me from over using wormers. My horses have returned &quot;less than 50 eggs (no eggs seen) counts on more that one occasion when I would otherwise have been scheduled to use chemical wormers. </span></p> <p class="trebuchet-main"><span class="arial-main-homezone">I feel it is particularly good to have reduced wormer use because of the damage to the enviroment the drugs can cause and the knowledge I am not contributing to drug resistance in the parasites. I am very happy with the fast and efficent worm counting service from Westgate Labs.&quot;</span><br> <br> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><strong><span class="arial-main-blue"><img src="../images/clients/ferrule-group.jpg" alt="Westgate Labs Clients" width="300" height="250" class="noborderfloatright">The team at Girsonfield Strud in Otterburn, Northumberland with Son of Danehill - FERRULE.<br> <br> </span></strong><span class="arial-main-blue"> Susan Corbett says ' With so many horse coming and going at the stud I check that my worming program is in order by sampling my own horses at least twice a year - peace of mind and healthy horses!'. </span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p class="trebuchet-main"><strong><br> <span class="arial-main-homezone">Jeannette uses worm egg counts for all three of her horses<br> </span></strong><span class="arial-main-homezone">&quot;Thank you very much!! Great service, very quick and nice to know that&nbsp;our worming program is keeping our boys safe.&quot;</span></p> <p><br> <img src="../images/clients/jeannette.jpg" alt="Westgate Labs clients" width="600" height="300"><br> <br> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="arial-main-homezone" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px dashed; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><p><br> <strong><img src="../images/clients/ellen1.jpg" alt="Westgate Labs Clients" width="300" height="444" class="noborderfloatright"><span class="arial-main-blue">Ellen's story with Mag and Narna</span> </strong></p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I can't remember who first gave me your details - I may have read an article about you in a horsey magazine - but I do remember thinking what a good idea. That was back in 2004 and I was a fairly novice horse owner having bought a 6mth old foal from the New Forest in Nov 2002 and then an old TB X ID ex hunter the following June. I kept them both at a DIY yard and dutifully followed (without much real understanding) the worming regime of the yard. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I remember worming Meg (the New Forest foal) soon after she arrived. It was alarming - the very next day every single pile of her droppings was filled with worms like little red chrysalises. I thought how painful and damaging they must have been for her and was pleased they were out but I also hoped I'd got them all and thought it would be great if you could check somehow - but still I followed the yard who said what to and when to worm. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Then I heard of your service and thought - brilliant - I sent 2 samples straight away mid way between worming - the results were shocking. Narna ( the 23yearold ex hunter had less than 50 eggs , Meg had a count of 950 eggs. How could this be when they both had the same wormer at he same time and were both kept in the same paddock which I cleared of poo every day? </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I emailed this question to Westgate labs and was so impressed when I got a quick and thorough and personal response from Gillian. She explained that it was quite possible that Narna who had probably been on a hunting yard most of her adult life with a strict worming regime could possibly have built up an immunity and may not need worming as much. On the other hand Meg probably had a huge worm burden on the forest and i might still be dealing with the legacy of this 2 years later. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Turns out Gillian was spot on - I have tested Narna once a year since then - her count is always less than 50 eggs - so I only worm her once a year for strongyles and tape worm as usual in the spring This not only saves me a good deal of money but her from a lot of unnecessary chemicals - which may also account for the fact that when I took her on I was informed of her colic bouts and experienced a couple each year for those first couple of years. Now, and I'm touching wood big time here) I can't remember her having one since summer 2005 - connected? - who knows - but fewer chemicals can only be good for her. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">Meg's results were even more important because by worm-counting her before and after worming, I could be sure that what I was doing was actually working. On Gillian's recommendations I tested her again 2 weeks after worming with a different wormer (reduction count) and was thrilled to see less than 50 eggs. Gillian then recommended testing her every 3 months for a year to be sure that all was well. With in a year her count was less than 50 and now I test her when worming is due and only worm if she needs it. </p> <p class="arial-main-blue">I think worm counting is brilliant. It saves me money, - no worms, no wormer, it saves the horses unnecessary chemicals and it gives me confidence that my worming programme is effective. It's just guesswork otherwise. And the girls on the yard were so impressed they've all got in to the habit of it - which is great because everyone does it together and that saves us even more money. Result!!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></TD> <TD height="14"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=14 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="4"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=4 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="28"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=28 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="4"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=4 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="28"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=28 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="4"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=4 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="28"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=28 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="4"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=4 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="28"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=28 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="99"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=99 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="19"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=12 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="15128"> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=184 ALT=""></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD height="23"> <IMG SRC="../images/web-layout_35.gif" WIDTH=25 HEIGHT=23 ALT=""></TD> <TD COLSPAN=7> <IMG SRC="../images/web-layout_36.gif" WIDTH=800 HEIGHT=23 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <IMG SRC="../images/web-layout_37.gif" WIDTH=25 HEIGHT=23 ALT=""></TD> <TD> <IMG SRC="../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=23 ALT=""></TD> </TR> </TABLE> <div align="center"> <p><span class="pagefootersmall">&copy; Westgate Laboratories 2008</span><br> <span class="pagefooterlinks">Westgate Laboratories, Middle Stobswood, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3AZ</span></p> <p> <span class="pagefooterlinks"><a href="index.html" >Home</a> | <a href="info-zone/index.html">Information Zone</a> | <a href="our-services/index.html">Our Services</a> | <a href="order-now/index.html">Order Now</a> | <a href="sitemap.htm">Site Map</a></span><span class="style2"> <br> </span><br> <span class="pagefootersmall">Westgate Laboratories Ltd. 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