Some horse worms can have a huge impact on your horse’s health. Encysted small redworm larvae and tapeworms are two parasite infestations which can require veterinary intervention and treatment: treatment which can run into thousands of pounds. Small redworm are the most common and harmful parasite to affect your horse today, over 90% of which can be encysted in your horse’s gut wall. Killing these encysted larvae in the late autumn and early spring, before they emerge and cause potentially fatal intestinal damage is an important part of any worm control programme.

Experts estimate that the horse tapeworm (cestodes) infections are being under diagnosed and that up to 2 out of 3 horses in the UK have some level of tapeworm infestation. Tapeworms are responsible for a number of health-related problems in horses, ranging from loss of performance and hair loss to diarrhoea, colic, and painful, potentially fatal perforation of the intestine.

We all have a responsibility to use equine worming products appropriately. Many equine worm species are developing resistance to wormers due to frequent, untargeted use of these products. Ensuring wormers remain effective, by only using them when needed, is vital for the future health and wellbeing of our horses, ponies, and donkeys.

Before buying worming products, please reach out to your veterinary surgeon for advice, as they can create a targeted treatment program specific to your animal(s) and their environment. Screening before dosing is straightforward (using manure, saliva or in some cases, blood samples) and ensures you can worm your animal(s) effectively while also reducing the likelihood of resistant worms developing