Worm Count testing for newbies

[SpotsandBays]

Never done egg count testing before, (I know! Slap on the wrist!!) but I’d like to start this year. I have some newbie questions though.
Had a look at PooPost and their prices seem pretty reasonable, cheaper than I expected - apart from the tape but that’s to be expected.
I see there’s 3 different tests on there, (round, pin and tape) how regularly does everybody test for each of these? And I assume you test every horse? (If they’re on shared grazing)
Tia!

 

[paddy555]

I use Poo post for normal counts and I use equisal directly for tapes. I think it is around £1 cheaper (not much) but it mounts up with multiple horses.

yes each horse has to be tested. Test for red/roundworm with dung samples taken March, June, Sept and Dec.

Test with the equisal saliva test in Apr and Oct for tapes and then worm if needed.

I worm around now with equest for encysted whether they show high worm counts or not.

So in theory it is

Jan encysted
Mar dung sample red/round
April tapeworm
June dung sample red/round
sept dung sample red/round
oct tapeworm
dec dung sample red/round
back to beg Jan encysted with equest.

as you get going and have been doing it for a while you can start to predict the results and perhaps leave out one of the tests. I miss the dec dung one and the April Tape one but I have been doing this for over 20 years.

Pin worm is a different ball game. I would only test (with the selotape type test) if I saw evidence ie tail rubbing/evidence of them around the anus.

Biggest thing ATM is to look out for post strikes. I take samples and post on a Monday so they get there hopefully quickly and fresh but you need to make sure no RM strikes on the next few days or they will be delayed and probably worthless.

 

[MarvelVillis]

I test for red/round worm every 3 months and tapeworm every 6 months. I've only tested for pin worm once when he started itching his tail more than usual, but the result came back negative. In December/Jan I always worm with Equest Pramox to kill encysted redworm - I believe they advise to give the wormer after the first frost. I think you can now check for encysted redworm via bloods with the vet which I haven't done before but may look into for next winter.

 

[w1bbler]

Ref the above post, equest pramox does encysted & tapeworm, if you only need to treat encysted then buy the green equest, not pramox

 

[SpotsandBays]

Thanks all!
I’m pretty clued up on the wormers themselves, just not the egg count tests!

 

[Burnttoast]

I do fecs (poo tests) every season, equisal for tape autumn and spring and blood for encysted redworm late autumn. I've not had to use a dewormer for over two years on this regime.

 

[Love]

I can highly recommend Westgate Labs. I use their subscription service - pay around £6 a month and they just send me exactly what test I need and when without me having to remember. Faecal egg counts, equisal (tapeworm) and wormer resistance tests. You can also request more specialist test kits from them as well. Results are very quick and if you need to speak to them they are very helpful. lots of really good resources on their website too

 

[BronsonNutter]

May be worth checking with your vets as to if they offer a worming program - we do a standalone worming program, and also offer it as part of our 'care plan plus'. It looks expensive when compared to the westgate plans, but given ours includes the relavent wormers for if they require them it can work out very cost effective for those repeat offenders who always have high WECs.

 

[Hollylee1989]

I use westgate, every 3 months I order an egg count. Then I do the saliva test every 6 months, if any come back medium or high risk then I worm with the appropriate wormer. My sister's arab is in the same field with my two, so we test at the same time.

 

[Gloi]

I've taken up the vet plan. Worm test through the year including equisal and suitable wormers if any come back positive.