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Westgate Test Kits Go Plastic Free!
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Westgate Test Kits Go Plastic Free!

The final piece of the puzzle to creating 100% sustainable, compostable & zero waste kits

We're celebrating a momentous breakthrough in the pursuit of our eco-credentials. In partnership with a leading UK plastics manufacturer, we're thrilled to solve one of the biggest challenges of our sustainability journey to date, that of eliminating single use plastic from all our test kits.

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Autumn Parasite Control 2024
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Autumn Parasite Control 2024

for your horse

Another mostly wet summer has helped parasites to remain very active on the pasture as we head into the autumn months and could also extend bot fly activity too. To help protect your horse remember to get those worm egg counts for redworm and ascarids into the lab this season to keep on top of any potential infections. If you haven’t tested or treated for tapeworm in the last six months it’s also time to think about that now.

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August Bank Holiday 2024
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August Bank Holiday 2024

Opening & Testing Days

If you're sending samples soon, be aware of potential post disruption due to the bank holiday on Monday 26th August. Please send your samples by Tuesday 20th to ensure the sample arrives with us while still viable to test.

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RESISTANCE STATUS OF EQUINE WORMING
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RESISTANCE STATUS OF EQUINE WORMING

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Wormer resistance, the ability of a parasite to survive a standard dose of wormer, is unfortunately becoming ever more common. We now can’t give a horse a wormer and simply expect it to work. It’s the pasture on which resistance develops but resistant worms can and do travel with their hosts to contaminate new pastures and the horses there, just like other infectious diseases.

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Rare species of bot sighted in UK horses.
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Rare species of bot sighted in UK horses.

⚠️ Warning! Graphic Images & Content

There are three main species of Bots that affect UK horses and we often see findings of G. intestinalis (the common bot) which lays pale yellow eggs on the hair of the body. This summer, conditions have been right for an altogether rarer species of this fly, G. haemorrhoidalis (the nose bot) to appear. You would certainly be forgiven for taking fright at the way its pupae show up...

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Westgate Labs Complete 25 Mile Charity Hike
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Westgate Labs Complete 25 Mile Charity Hike

Celebrating 25 Years in Business and Raising Vital Funds for World Horse Welfare 

Saturday 15th June saw staff and friends of Westgate Labs complete an epic challenge to celebrate their 25 years in business working to improve the parasite control of horses and other grazing animals. An intrepid team from the postal worm egg count specialists chose a 25-mile endurance walk down the rugged coastline of their home county of Northumberland to mark the milestone.

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25 miles for 25 Years
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25 miles for 25 Years

Marathon Hike Charity Challenge

The training is over and in just a couple days time the Westgate team will be setting off to complete a 25 mile hike to raise funds for World Horse Welfare. Now its all about the the logistics and the final prep which includes a marauding map and bacon sandwiches!

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Summer Parasite Control 2024
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Summer Parasite Control 2024

Plan for the season ahead

☀️ For a healthy adult horse we usually recommend thinking about parasite control as a seasonal thing. So as we head into June and the transition to Summer it's a good time to consider our plan for the season ahead: 🌻Worm egg count every 8-12 weeks 🌻 If you tapeworm tested or gave Equest Pramox in the winter it's time to do an EquiSal Tapeworm test. 🌻 Look out for bots, pinworm and ticks 🌻 Control flies and other insects

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Walking for World Horse Welfare
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Walking for World Horse Welfare

25 miles for 25 years!

The team at Westgate are in training to complete a 25 mile walk in June this year. The aim is to raise vital funds for World Horse Welfare, a charity very close to their hearts, and to get fitter and healthier along the way! This year is Westgate's 25th anniversary so it's fitting to walk 1 mile for every year in business.

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