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Every horse needs a worm egg count so you can target the correct wormers at the horse who needs them instead of wasting doses on ‘clean’ horses. As resistance develops it is no longer safe to rely on worming without backing this up with the evidence of worm counts and tests to ensure treatment has been effective.

Just like bacteria and antibiotics worms are evolving to become resistant to the drugs we have available. 80% of the worms are usually in 20% of the horses.

We are trying to reduce the amount of times we expose our horses to these chemicals so as to slow down this development. There are only a handful of drugs licenced to treat parasites and already well documented resistance to some. In many cases you will be able to cut down on the amount of chemicals going into your horse and out onto the pasture.

Getting started is easier than you think. Use the link below for more help and advice 👇

• How to get started with good worm control

That is correct - it's important to use evidence-based tests on a regular schedule while understanding their limitations.

• Encysted stages of small redworm do not show on a faecal worm egg count as the larvae do not lay eggs. It's important to treat with an effective product in the winter months (Dec-Feb) or contact your vet about the blood test instead for suitable cohorts of horses. 
• A worm egg count won’t distinguish between eggs of the large and small redworm.
• Tapeworm eggs often appear in dung samples but a worm egg count is not reliable for detecting tapeworm. Use the EquiSal Saliva Tapeworm Test twice a year instead.
• Pinworm lay their eggs outside the body and rarely show up in a worm egg count. Instead use the adhesive tape impression test to aid detection of this parasite.

The cornerstone of a good parasite control plan remains the humble worm egg count monitor adult, egg laying stages of redworm and ascarids and should be carried out every 8-12 weeks depending on your horse's parasite risk. 

Use the link below to shop worm egg counts 👇

• Shop Worm Control

 

Following a complicated and expensive worming programme does not guarantee that your horse will be free of parasites. 

Parasite infection is a largely silent threat as horses can be carrying large numbers of worms without any outward indication. Disease caused by parasites is increasingly the result of the drugs not working due to wormer résistance and we can no longer give a wormer expecting it to work.

Westgate Labs test many horses who have been on worming programmes and still have medium or high worm count results. Growing resistance to some worming drugs means that they may not be effective for your horse. This can only get worse in years to come and there are no new worming drugs. Regular worm counts can identify parasite problems, sometimes only affecting one horse in a herd, so they can be correctly treated.

Find out more about the real threat of wormer resistance and ways you can help slow this 👇

• Resistance to wormers

It's true that when it comes to worm egg counts not all tests are created equal - both the quality of the test and then the quality of the follow up advice are very important. Westgate continues to lead the way in this area as a trusted source of advice, recognised with numerous awards and accolades for their services.

Westgate's tests are backed up by veterinary approved advice through friendly education and support and a team of qualified AMTRA SQP’s (Suitably Qualified Professionals certified to prescribe and give advice on worming through the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority).

Westgate have a purpose built laboratory specialising in worm egg counts for grazing animals and test thousands of samples every week. Rigorous processes ensure customers get the correct result for each animal using the industry standard ‘Modified McMaster test’ process to generate your result.

The EquiSal saliva tapeworm test is also very reliable having been rigorously tested, validated and peer reviewed so you can have every confidence in relying on your results.

Parasite control isn’t a one-and-done process. Regular worm egg counts (WECs) throughout the grazing season are essential for staying ahead of parasites. Horses that consistently have low counts may not need frequent worming, while those with high counts may require closer monitoring.

A mature, healthy horse can follow a very simple pattern of testing and dosing. 

First determine your horse's risk profile here. This allows you to devise a tailored parasite control plan for the year ahead, ensuring that testing and treatments are aligned with your horse’s specific needs.

Veterinary advice recommends that all horses are regularly tested throughout the grazing season. A tailored worm control plan should include:

• Worm egg counts every 8-12 weeks to monitor strongyle and ascarid egg shedding.
• Targeted tapeworm testing every six months, as tapeworms do not show in WECs.
• A risk-based approach to encysted small redworm, assessed in winter to either test and/or treat.
• Good pasture management, including regular poo picking and sensible grazing strategies.

For more information 👇

• Targeted Worm Control

Worm count kits and items from the online shop are sent by your preferred Royal Mail option to go towards these costs.

The Lab and Office is open Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm and we aim to process orders within 24 hours of receiving them during those times.

Orders received before 2pm will catch the same day post, any orders made after 2pm will be sent the following day.

All being well with the postal service you should receive your order within two – three working days, however please expect delays for orders made over a weekend period or near a bank holiday.

All prices listed on our website are in pounds sterling and include VAT at 20% where applicable.

We no longer accept samples from outside UK due to delayed transit times, so please do not post them to us.

EquiSal test kits are only available in the UK at present. For queries outside the UK please contact the EquiSal laboratory direct: [email protected]

All worm count kits purchased from Westgate Labs contain postage paid return envelopes for ease of returning the samples to the lab.

Once you have collected the sample simply pop it into the addressed envelope and post in your nearest Royal Mail post box.

Please include the paperwork to identify who you are and ensure you fill out the back of the envelope with the date sample collected and number of samples included.

Website transactions are protected by The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. 

• You have 14 calendar days to cancel the order from the day you receive the goods. Once you inform us that you wish to cancel, you have 14 days to return the item. 
• We must issue a full refund (including standard delivery charges) within 14 days of receiving the returned goods or proof of return. 
• Unless previously agreed with us in writing, you pay for return postage. 
• All other returns and refunds are at the company's discretion. 

If your order does not reach you, we will post it again or you can ask for a refund but it will be minus the postage cost.

 

Results from the lab service of any sample can be returned to you by email or text message. Email gives you the most comprehensive result detail.

All samples are processed on the day that we receive them in the post, worm egg count, pinworm and liver fluke test results will be available the same day.

Lungworm sedimentation test results and sand tests take 24 hours in the lab so you should have them back within 48 hours of receipt.

The Large Redworm Culturing process takes 10-14 days in the lab so please allow 2 weeks for results to be received.

The EquiSal samples go to the manufacturers for testing and are tested within 3 day of arriving at the laboratory.  With the postal system please expect it to be 7 days from posting to receive the results from us by your usual method.

If you need any follow up advice then our friendly team of SQPs will be happy to help.

We are committed to making our website usable by all people, whatever their abilities or disabilities. Find the right assistive technology to customise this site to your needs. While the site has been created to be usable ‘as is’, many people are likely to get the most accessible experience of using this site by customising their computer to suit their individual needs – for example: to get the site spoken to them, to change its colour-scheme, or increase the size of its fonts. My Web My Way home page If that sounds like it would be useful to you, we recommend you visit BBC My Web, My Way to watch videos of how these customisations – either using accessibility features of your computer or through installing assistive technologies – might suit you.

While we’ve done a lot to ensure this site’s accessibility, you may find some limitations: Although we always aim to communicate clearly and as simply as possible, some of the articles may require a reasonable level of technical understanding due to the technical nature of the services we provide. While the site has been created using up to date software and techniques, the site has not been fully user-tested with disabled people. If you find anything on the site difficult to use please contact us to let us know and we will be pleased to help. All constructive feedback regarding the accessibility or usability of this website is welcome and will be carefully considered. This statement was last updated June 2017 and follows the advice on accessibility statements in British Standard BS 8878.

The All Seasons Subscription service is a monthly payment plan that provides you with access to the Westgate Labs total parasite test control service.

You will be sent the right test at the right time of year in accordance with your bespoke parasite control programme.

As an example the monthly subscription plan for a Healthy Adult Horse provides a worm egg count or appropriate test sent approximately every three months. The monthly subscription plan for a High Risk Horse e.g. foal or veteran horse, provides a worm egg count or appropriate test sent approximately every two months.

Our equine subscription plans provide parasite testing based on risk factors. 

• Complete Care Plans: Worm egg count tests sent every 2 months for Young and High Risk subscriptions and every 3 months for Healthy Adults.  Equisal test sent every 6 months.  You also have £25 credit towards the costs of other incidental tests per horse per year. 

• Essential Care Plans: Worm egg count tests sent every 2 months for Young and High Risk subscriptions and every 3 months for Healthy Adults. You also have £10 credit towards the costs of other incidental tests per horse per year. 

Each plan includes a set number of parasite tests per year. Additional tests beyond this limit may be subject to additional charges. Please contact us by email to arrange additional tests. 

Test results will be provided within 24 hours of receipt for worm egg counts and 7-10 working days for Equisal saliva tests. 

Foals and young horses under the age of four are especially vulnerable as their immune system takes time to mature.

Older horses, horses with laminitis, EMS, ulcers or conditions impacting on their immune function need extra support. Horses that compete or train away from home on a regular basis will be exposed at show venues etc. to areas of potential contamination. 

Both groups therefore need a careful and more frequent schedule of tests and treatment to help ensure a healthier life.

 

Your All Seasons subscription plan is designed to provide your individual horse with a bespoke plan just for them and their individual needs. It is important that you therefore let us know of any changes in circumstances.

If you change your horse then simply cancel* your current subscription by contacting us. If you want to add another horse then sign up to All Seasons with their details.

* terms and conditions may apply

You can sign up via www.westgatelabs.co.uk/subscribe

Choose which subscription plan is right for your horse then follow the instructions and answer any questions needed to determine the right plan for your horse. Once you have completed the information required for the first horse there is an option to provide additional horses prior to making payment.

Once you have completed all the sign up details, including shipping and payment details, you will receive notification from us of your subscription plan.

At the right time, we will then send you the test you need for your horse to target the correct parasites at the appropriate time of year.

When you receive the test, follow the instructions and pop the sample in the post as instructed. We will then contact you with your results.

If you are unsure what action is needed based on those results, then just contact us and we will be happy to provide you with veterinary approved advice from our qualified SQPs.

We understand things change, so we’ve made our subscription as flexible as possible. There’s no long-term contract and you’re free to cancel your subscription at any time after the first three months. 

Please note:

• Cancelling within the first three months will incur a one-off administration fee of £45.00.
• Cancellations are not eligible for a refund or credit.
• Repeat cancellations and re-subscriptions made in order to purposely avoid paying for a full subscription term are not permitted and will incur charges to cover the costs of those tests sent but not covered by previous payments.
• Westgate Labs reserves the right to decline or cancel a subscription at any time.

To cancel your subscription or update your payment details, simply email us at [email protected] with the name of the horse(s) or flock you wish to cancel and we’ll be happy to get that sorted for you.