Worming??

C

C&C

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 September 2010
Messages
380
Location
South Glos
Visit site
As a follow on to my other thread i wanted to ask a question on worming?

My yard only worms twice a year, once when moving from summer to winter fields and vice versa. I know this IS NOT enough but they wont change. I am quite happy to worm my 2 inbetween as well but wondered if it would be worth my while seeing the other horses wont be done??

Also......the horses are due to be wormed in about 2/3 weeks, what with Chance being fat and my youngster being new i was thinking of giving them a wormer now.....would this hurt seeing they will have another later this month??
 
If I were you I'd spend the money on worm counting instead...that way you'll know for sure if your yard's plan is sufficient.
 
You're right in that there is little point in worming yours if the other horses aren't being done as they will just get reinfected.

I'd do a worm count as a starter to see if your horses have been affected and then if necessary move yards. It might sound extreme but I wouldn't turn out with horses that weren't adequately wormed.
 
wellsat said:
It might sound extreme but I wouldn't turn out with horses that weren't adequately wormed.
Click to expand...

I don't think it sounds that extreme...not worming can invalidate your insurance :eek: no way I'd risk doing that!!

Out of interest what yard are you at? I'm in South Glos too :)
 
How do i go about a worm count? I know friends that have done it in the past but i wouldnt know where to start, apart from the obviuos!! Lol ;)

If it were to come back appalling then i would make sure they know about it and DO something about it, no fear there! ;)

Im at Port Farm in Olveston?? Where are you? :)
 
You can buy worm count kits, I've seen some in our local tack shop, I'm sure. Also, our vet offers a worm count offer too, so it might be worth contacting your vet.

You may find that the twice yearly worming works just fine, but equally you may find it's not....but if you know, you can face your YO with facts, and if you still get nowhere then you have a good solid reason to look elsewhere.
 
C&C said:
Im at Port Farm in Olveston?? Where are you? :)
Click to expand...

I'm in Bitton, although we do some work down the road in Alveston (sp?)

Like others said you can get a worm count done with your vet, or westgate lab. on the internet will send you one then you just send them a sample
 
Thanks peeps, its been a real help on here today and much appreciated to all for your info and suggestions :D xxx

I will get this worm count done for both my boys and will let you kno the outcome ;)

Yep - Alveston is just up over the hill from Olveston ;)
 
Worm counts do not show tapeworms so imagine your yard do not worm for them
Definitely worth doing yours with eg double Strongid P as that will take out most other worms as well. An autumn dose is probably most effective.

If your horses share/alternate fields with other livestock--cattle and sheep-- the worm burden will be less than if just horses are kept at the yard.
 
Definitely don't worm your horses now and then in a months' time as well, that is too much of a chemical burden and one of the reasons that worms are getting resistant to most wormers.

We strategically worm twice a year for encysted redworms, bots and tapeworm and worm count twice a year in between. Westgate Labs are good, there is Abbey Diagnostics, some vets offer this too, lots of people nowadays.

Well done for questioning it, worming is a huge issue and is going to get even bigger if we don't do something proactive now. There was a good article about this in the latest BHS Magazine which came on Friday, not sure if you are a member but well worth a read.
 
The only problem with worm egg counting now is that you will not detect if your horse has encysted red worm larvae, as at this time of year they are in the gut wall if present. So a neg WEC may not necessarily be so.

I too had the same problem this year having moved yards, as they were all wormed beginning of Nov and wont again until April. They all live out and the amount of poo everywhere is frightening. I wanted to just worm mine, as felt I was doing something, even though will likely be re-infected. Its a difficult one.
 
Yes I read the BHS magazine article and it was very informative. I definitely wouldn't worm twice within a few weeks as it might be dangerous and would be a waste of time and money. Worming according to poo sample test is the way forward, combined with regular poo-picking (not harrowing as unless done under ideal conditions you are just spreading the problem around). The problem with worm control is that you are often at the mercy of livery yard owners and other users - I'm lucky I can do my own thing. Hope you get chance to read the BHS article.
 
Hi I worm count using Abbygate (google them) they are cheaper than Westgate and their service is fantastic. As others have said a worm count will not cover small encysted redworm or tape - you must worm for these, then egg count during summer - make sure an adquate amount off time has elapsed after you worm to when you egg count or you may get false results - eg equest is a 14 week wormer so dont count until 15/16 weeks. If you get positive results and the yard wont take any action - move. Worm damage kills!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top