Excuse my ignorance - I think my horse is full of worms...

4leggedfurries

4leggedfurries

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For the last few days I've noticed that his poo's are full of what looks like bright yellow seeds. Just wondering if these are worms, and what one's they are as I've not seen them before. Would this also cause him to be 'off' as he's not been 100% since about the same time these started appearing. I check all 3 of my boys poo's daily as I know its a good indicator of whether there is a problem or not. They are all wormed regularly and accordingly to the time of year (even though I know this doesnt stop it completely), so just looking for a bit of knowledge on the subject.
 
Is there anything in your fields that has yellow seeds? Could it be that the plant these seeds come from is poisonous, hence the horse being off colour? I think if you have a good worming regime it is unlikely that your horse is "full of worms". Were they wormed recently or are they due one?
 
Can't help on the 'seeds' bit (could always be something laying eggs in it after), but if you are concered then a worm count may be a good way forward. People are trying to move away from the worming x number of times a year and reducing it with worm counts, then usually something to tackle encysted redworm and tape worms so everything is covered. Perhaps this is an approach you could consider to make sure that you don't either over or under worm and would give you peace of mind? There are quite a few companies that do it, abbey diagnostics, westgate labs etc.
 
Hiya

Routine worming is now not considered necessary. I would get a sample of poo from each of your horses and send them to the vet for a worm count. (Cost around £12 to have it done with my vet, cheaper if there are multiple samples to do) If there are any worms present they can advise the best wormer.

I get a an egg count done every 3 -4 months. According to my vet the only wormer needed is Tapeworm spring and autumn if your horse is worm free.

:)
 
Nope, nothing in the field that has yellow seeds, only grass and clover. And its not something laying in the poo's afterwards as he did a fresh one as I was poo picking this morning (I poo pick every day too) and it was already full of them. Its only the big one that has them, the two little one's are fine and he's about a month off being wormed. At the moment they only get wormed 4 times a year.
 
I would def worm count then as you need to know what they are so you can tackle it. It isn't v expensive at all.
 
I think it's not worms - at least these bright yellow things appear in my horse's poo too, and he has a very very low worm count each time poo samples are done.

Would be very grateful to learn what the bright yellow things are though!
 
they are more than likely eggs laid on to the dropppings by flys once they are in the field so I am guessing from the description this is what they are but feel free to take some pics 4LF :D

worm counts are an indication not the be all and all (fab marketing going on atm ;) ) if they don't see any eggs this does NOT mean that your horse has no worms, just that he is LIKELY to not have a significant burden that is requiring treatment.
 
Do you have any photos of this, I noticed one of my horses has the same issue yesterday. My initial thought was eggs or seeds. These are yellow and about the size of a grain of sand. They seem quite hard so I don't think worm eggs are the correct diagnosis (but I'm no expert). If it will help I will post so pictures?
 
I'm going to watch this thread with great interest. My two horses have also had these little yellow bits in their poo's for the last few weeks. They were wormed about 3 weeks ago so I don't think they are eggs. I also managed to pick one off my poo picker and tried to squish it to see if it was an egg of some sort, but it was really hard like a grain of sand, but far too yellow....? I worm them as advised and am never late and I poo pick the field every day. Both horses are in excellent condition, have healthy appetites and are working well. My fields do have a lot of clover, so don't know if it perhaps has something to do with that???
 
The horses in my field have the same - would love to know what it is - I just presumed it was daisy/buttercup seeds but cant imagine they would go through their system staying very yellow!
 
ester said:
they are more than likely eggs laid on to the dropppings by flys once they are in the field so I am guessing from the description this is what they are but feel free to take some pics 4LF :D

worm counts are an indication not the be all and all (fab marketing going on atm ;) ) if they don't see any eggs this does NOT mean that your horse has no worms, just that he is LIKELY to not have a significant burden that is requiring treatment.
Click to expand...

this is true..... scientists have also now found that it is best not to get rid of absolutely all worms, so to me a worm count (plus blood test for tapeworm to see if they need wormer for that, and occasional worming for encysted redworm which doesnt show
up in the worm count either) is the ideal.

...dont think they spend more on marketing that the wormer manufacturers....

The critical thing is to really properly use the right wormer when its needed, but to try not to use them when its not necessary (via worm counts). Neither all worm counts nor all regimented worming every x weeks is satisfactory by itself.
 
yup, pretty much if you have low counts all year you are very unlikely to get an encysted problem.

:o yup fair point on that one ;) I spose just that its not really a new technology and its not a bad thing that its now more out in the marketplace as long as used correctly :)
 
A worm count would be a good idea. Don't bother using your vet as it'll be more expensive. Telephone or email Abbey Diagnostics, they are currently cheaper than Westgate & they will sent you the kit to gather your sample free of charge. The actual count will cost you £6.25p plus a little postage to send in your sample. You'll get the result normally within around 3 days either by phone or email, whichever you indicate on your form.

http://www.abbeydiagnostics.co.uk/welcome.htm
 
I have watched my horses poo in their stables and they have them then, so definitely not eggs from flies or bugs that have been laid afterwards. They are also rock hard and will not pop or crush.... can't see how eggs can possibly be that hard......?
 
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