Worming

Every year we rescue equines in need, many of which arrive with different ailments and injuries. One of the most common health issues we see are high worm burdens.

Worms are internal parasites that live inside the horse’s intestinal tract. Having a low worm burden will have little or no effect on the horse’s health but having a high worm burden can cause serious health issues, especially if left untreated.

Some of the common worms that can cause infestation damage are:

Small redworms
Large redworms
Tapeworms
Roundworms

How do worms effect an equine’s health?

Some of the common symptoms seen in equines with worm burdens are:

Diarrhoea
Colic
Anaemia
Weight loss
Struggle to maintain weight and condition
Dull coat
Lethargic

All the above can make the equine feel very ill and the treatment required can vary depending on their age, the severity of the worm burden and the type of worm infestation. Bransby Horses have completed research and collected data on worming and parasite control for many years. The yard teams and vets work extremely hard at certain times of the year when faecal egg counts are to be completed to ensure that hundreds of samples of faeces are collected and sent to the testing labs in a timely manner.

How do equines get worms in the first place?

Any equine can pick up worm eggs from grazing and pastureland. When an equine passes droppings, it also passes eggs within it, with some travelling up to three metres away from the dung pile into the grass. As other equines graze in that area, they ingest the eggs in the grass. This is a cycle that continually occurs, therefore managing their worm burden is very important.

How do we prevent and manage worm burdens?

Here at Bransby Horses, we follow a worming programme and ensure that our pasture management is carried out to a high standard. This involves removing droppings from paddocks, rotating and resting paddocks and allowing plenty of room for the horses in the fields so that they are not eating grass where there is a high concentration of eggs and larvae. When testing or worming, it is advised to complete the process with the whole herd at the same time for the process to be effective.

It is important to test every equine that arrives on site. This is to check for any worms present and what type. Testing allows us to target specific worms rather than blanket worming (worming routinely with no consideration for the product or time of year), as this is having a detrimental effect on the equines and the land they live on. Over time, the worms are becoming resistant to the drugs that are used. This means that in the future, they could become resistant to all wormers.

Types of testing

Faecal Worm Egg Count (FWEC)

This is a fairly simple procedure to estimate how many small redworm eggs an individual is shedding in their faeces. The teams on each yard collect a small, fresh sample of the horse’s droppings, it is suggested they choose from more than one nugget. The samples are then sent to a testing lab within 24 hours to be analysed. With all samples labelled and named the lab then sends the results back, informing us of the count results and advising which wormer to use if required.

Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT)

The equine will be FWECed again two weeks after being treated with a wormer, this is to see if the drugs in the wormer have been effective and if the egg count is reduced.

Tapeworm antibody test

Tapeworm eggs are not shed evenly in droppings, so are not reliable to test in the same way. Instead, the labs measure the antibodies present in the equine’s saliva or blood. If a blood test is required, this must be performed by a vet. Again, the results are emailed and the most appropriate wormer is advised if required.

Encysted redworm

Encysted (hibernating) redworm larvae burrow into the gut wall for the autumn and winter, with some remaining there for years. They do not cause a problem when hibernating but when they emerge in large numbers in late winter or early spring, they cause damage to the gut wall and can cause colic, diarrhoea or even death.

A faecal egg count does not pick this up, therefore a blood test is required, and careful treatment is needed.

How do we worm correctly?

The teams weigh all the equines, either using a weigh bridge or by using a weigh tape. This informs the correct dose.

Bransby Horses equine handlers are trained to use a worming syringe safely to administer the correct dose of wormer. We also complete lots of training with the horses to ensure they are comfortable with us administering the wormers. We would advise owners to do the same to ensure safe administration of the wormer.

Try to keep your equine away from food just before giving the wormer and then hold the horses head up after administering the gel or paste until they have swallowed, this will ensure they have received all of the treatment.

All equines are different, and we advise you to talk to your vet or Suitable Qualified Person, these are trained people who are legally allowed to sell the wormers, for a suitable worming programme for your horses or yard’s needs.

Remember we are here at Bransby Horses to support you with the health and welfare of your horse, if you require further information on any of the above or you would like to discuss your management plan please call 01427 787369 or email welfare@bransbyhorses.co.uk.