Targeted worming newbie

[Suby2]

I did find an old thread on this subject but would like any updated info.

I used to routinely worm to a program given by the vet but have decided to try targeted worming.

My pony has been recently worm count tested which came negative.

My query is - following this negative result what do I do now? I realise I have to worm at some point but am unsure as to what schedule to follow.

Any hints and tips would be appreciated.

 

[soloequestrian]

A faecal egg count will tell you about redworm. You can also do a tapeworm test - Equisal - and there may be a test now for encysted redworm, I haven't looked in a while. If all of those are low or zero then you don't have to worm at all. If you don't do the tapeworm test then you should think about worming specifically for that, I would only do once per year but some advice says twice. Personally if redworm count is low I don't worry about encysteds - it wouldn't make any sense for them to stay encysted if there was a nice empty environment to colonise - but I know others would say that you should worm for them anyway.
It can be feel very odd to reduce your worming so dramatically but it's definitely good for everything - the horse, slowing resistance in worms, and the environment. There is also mounting evidence that horses can thrive with much higher worm burdens that we are used to seeing - for an otherwise healthy horse there is an argument for allowing a moderate worm burden to persist (check out the 'hygiene hypothesis if you're interested).

 

[I'm Dun]

Westgate do a subscription service where they post you the tests when they are due and you get a discount. I use them as otherwise I'm prone to forgetting!

 

[milliepops]

Yeah I'd go with a subscription service for a bit, They will advise you. then if you get a feel for it you can go it alone.

This time of year I'm FEC-ing my young horses every 8 weeks and the older ones every 12 weeks. If all is well I worm for tape in autumn and encysted small redworm in January-ish. Additional ones depend on the results in between those times.

I have used the equisal test before but i have to dose the babies anyway so have put that on hold for now.

 

[Suby2]

Thank you for your informative replies. It’s taken me a while to come round to this system but I definitely think it is beneficial for both horses and the environment. As an aside he has very recently gone barefoot all round which is still a work in progress. The hinds were taken off as his hooves were breaking up. I didn’t intend taking off the fronts but the third time I took him o in his new hind boots he lost a front shoe plus part of his hoof so have taken the plunge and had the other shoe removed as well ?