>> Westgate Labs Sample Reduced Worming Programme

Many of our clients would like to use worm counts to help them reduce the amount of worming doses they give their horses.

Before deciding to follow a reduced worming programme, you should make sure that your circumstances are suitable.

Horses should preferably be kept so that they are with the same grazing companions, not constantly changing groups.

The fields should be kept as clear of droppings as is reasonably possible, poo-picked at least twice a week.

There should be adequate grazing for the numbers of animals kept, preferably with rest periods for the pasture.

Cross grazing with other species is beneficial.

New horses joining the herd should be worm counted and then wormed for encysted worms and tapeworm, before joining the others .

When first starting to use a reduced worming programme all horses should be tested, at a point when worming is due or slightly overdue, so as to get a true result.

Your programme might look something like this, depending on the time of year you start:
March	Worm count all horses. Worm any with a count of 200 + epg . No need to worm any with low or clear counts.
June	As above.
September	As above.
End of October	Worm all for tapeworm eg with Equitape. (Or blood test with your vet)
Nov/Dec	Worm for encysted redworm eg with Equest. or Panacur Equine Guard (if no resistance present)
March	Begin counts again.

If you are getting good results on this system then you can widen the gaps between counts as time goes on, but at first it is important that you don’t leave too long a gap.
You may want to add a spring tapeworm dose to the above, or perhaps to use a combined wormer such as Equimax or Eqvalan-duo if you need to treat redworm and tapeworm at the same time.

It is important to worm for encysted redworm in the winter, even if the counts are clear as parasites can remain in the dormant larval stage for a long time within the horse before making their presence known as mature egg-laying adults.

If you have any concerns about your horses health please consult your vet.

Please note that if you decide to follow a reduced worming programme you must take the decision to do so yourself. You may also want to have a chat with your vet.

Further information about using worm counts to determine the worming regime can be found on Liverpool University’s website: click here

We would like to invite clients, who feel they need more support with their worming, or those who wish to purchase wormers to add into their programme, to visit the Wormers Direct on-line shop where they can buy all wormers available for sale in the UK at competitive prices. Wormers Direct dedicated consultants are available to advise on your best course of action or to manage your reduced worming programme for you using a unique risk-grading system. You can opt for a managed programme, which includes worm counts from Westgate Labs Find them at www.wormersdirect.com Tel: 01267 241136

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