Confusing worm count results

[NellRosk]

I swear I spend approximately 100% of my time worrying about my horses. So Roski's cough still hasn't gone, I can't get hold of my vet and as of yesterday I have a new thing to worry about. I got a phone call off the worm count company saying his worm count was fine, less than 50. However my 4 yo's were over 2000?! They've been on exactly the same worming program and live in the same field together. Why is this!?

 

[ester]

It's pretty normal that in a field of horses one will have a much higher burden than the others. Some are just more susceptible and older healthy horses develop a certain amount of resistance. (fwiw it is also quite easy to get a false low count depending on sampling technique).

 

[CBFan]

Completely normal!! In particular for older or younger horses to have a higher count than 'middle aged' neds... Worm your 4y/o thoroughly (making sure you dose him correctly - weight tapes often under-estimate their weight) and keep monitoring your other one with worm counts

 

[NellRosk]

Oh phew! Was just a bit worried that hers was so high. Thanks for that

 

[putasocinit]

Unless u bred her you wouldnt know if her mother was wormed or her at 6 months. It is coming to autumn so should worm for tapeworm anyway both of them, tapes dont show up in a worm count.