Advice Requested refurbishing worming and cross infection

[Laser4000]

Hi all....Advice Requested please re worming and cross infection from a non wormed horse ....

I'm relatively new to the equestrian world and horses.... we have two ponies on a small yard and follow a regular 'conventional' worming regime as do most of the owners....However, one owner refuses to worm her horse preferring to rely on an organic diet with a range of herbs and vitamins.... she's adamant that her horse is worm free (as she can't see any!) and that it poses no risk to the other ponies..... my two are in an adjacent paddock, adjacent stables and share communal areas. ...... I've Googled this to death but can't find anything advice about whether this increases the risk to my two ponies....

She's a nice lady and I wouldn't want to upset her but I am very concerned at the risk to my two......

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I don't think you need worry unduly about cross infection as such.
You should ask your vet if he thinks a worm count should be done, for roundworms [poo sample] and also for tapeworm [saliva test].
The traditional worming program of 4 to 5 wormings per annum has inevitably led to some problems, so enlightened folks may only worm twice a year if worm counts are low. The encysted redworm needs to be stopped in its tracks by worming in the autumn with a targetted wormer. There are several wormers and not all have the same ingredients.
If she insists her ponies are worm free you can innocently ask if she has tried Westgate Labs for her worm counts, otherwise I would hesitate to raise the subject with her again.
Most yard owners insist on some sort of worming program, and poo picking is often practiced on a daily basis.
But no one sees a few little worms in poo, or round the anus unless they are pinworms or are flushed out after the drug kills them.
One advantage of getting a worm count is that you can tell her your results, she may see the light, no way will a herbal diet stop the encysted redworm which forms cysts in the gut lining.

 

[jumping.jack_flash]

The Red worm Parasite will not be fond in poo samples... and also can live in the ground up to 10 years. Now that's something I will always remember from my 'Parasitology lectures' !