Anthelmintic resistance poses a growing threat to horses. Over-reliance and misuse of wormers can accelerate the development of resistance among parasites, rendering certain treatments ineffective. Therefore, it is crucial to use wormers responsibly, following veterinary guidelines and implementing strategic deworming practices to preserve the efficacy of these treatments for the long-term. Our annual worm control package is designed to offer tailored, responsible worming guided by regular worm egg counts.
Our comprehensive horse worming programme, suitable for horses aged 2 years and older, includes:
All of this is included for £80.11 per year (inc VAT). Call us on 01295 670 501 for more information and to register your horse.
Employing faecal worm egg counts (FWECs) serves as a vital indicator, allowing us to assess the presence and quantity of worm eggs in your horse's dung. FWECs allow us to effectively tailor your horse’s worming schedule to target any infestations effectively. We recommend regular FWECs, ideally every 12 weeks during the grazing season for adult horses.
We require a small sample of fresh horse dung. Because worm eggs are distributed unevenly within each pile of droppings, it is best to collect a small pinch from at least five different faecal balls within a single dung pile.
By basing our worming recommendations on worm egg count results and your horse’s individual circumstances (including age and health status), we can ensure that your horse receives only necessary and effective worming. Most healthy adult horses do not need frequent worming, and regular faecal worm egg counts will confirm this.
Targeted Worming:
In addition to effective and responsible worming, there are things horse owners can do to control worms. General environmental worm control includes regular dropping removal from pastures and ensuring appropriate stocking density. Our experienced equine vets are always happy to advise on worm control.
For more information on worm control and responsible worming, take a look at our blog articles on How Often Should I Worm My Horse? and Autumn Worming For Horses. You can also contact us on 01295 670 501 to speak to a member of the Avonvale Equine Vet Practice Team.
