Why testing matters:

Worming used to mean dosing every horse every few weeks, whether they needed it or not. We now know that is a big mistake. Overuse of wormers has led to resistance, which means the products we rely on are becoming less effective. Once resistance takes hold on a yard, there is no going back.

There is also a simple fact that surprises many owners: in any group of horses, only a small number (about 20%) typically carry much of the worm burden. Some horses need treating, whilst others barely need it at all. Without testing, you are simply guessing which is which.

Testing allows us to:

· Treat the horses that need it and leave the rest alone

· Save money by avoiding unnecessary wormers

· Protect the products that still work for when your horse really needs them

· Check that treatments are working by re-testing after a dose

· Spot problems early, before they show up as weight loss or colic

The tests we use in autumn:

Faecal worm egg count (FWEC). A small dung sample tells us how many worm eggs your horse is shedding. It’s the go to test for adult redworm and roundworm, and it helps us decide whether treatment is needed. We also do FWECs to check if a worming medicine is still effective, but timing matters here, so let me help you with your worm counts.

Tapeworm test. Tapeworm eggs are patchy in the way they are released and easily missed in dung, so a normal egg count isn’t reliable here. A saliva is far more accurate, and it shows whether your horse needs a tapeworm dose or not.

Encysted small redworm blood test. If your horse has had high FWECs this year, a test for encysted redworm could be worthwhile. Small redworm larvae burrow into the gut wall and hide there. A standard egg count can’t detect them. A blood test can indicate whether your horse is carrying a worrying burden, so we can make an informed decision about giving a winter dose of wormer.

What we will be treating:

Testing guides the plan, but in Autumn we will usually be considering:

· Encysted small redworm, does your horse need a blood test for encysted redworm?

· Tapeworm, based on test results, does your horse need treating?

· Bots, treated after the first frosts, once the adult flies have gone. Have you seen the little yellow, bot eggs on your horse?

· Adult redworm and roundworm, only when the egg count says it is needed.

Good pasture management, especially regular poo picking, works alongside all of this to keep the worm burden down. We can discuss this with you and see how we can maximise your worm control based on you yard facilities.

Book your Autumn testing and worming today:

At Worming Wisely, we offer a full postal service through our website, so you can get help wherever you are. You’ll also have access to our qualified, award-winning SQP, who is always happy to give you advice you can trust.

But if we are honest, what we really love is getting to know you and your horses! Why not invite us over for a visit? We will bring our weighbridge along and give you all the help and advice you need. From saliva tests and FWECs to sensibly priced worming medications, we can take care of the lot.

Is your horse carrying a little more condition than they should be? We also offer a weight management service with regular weigh-ins, so you can see how you are getting on and keep them on track.

So why not get in touch today? We will book in your testing, then put together a worming plan based on your horse’s actual results rather than guesswork. We’d love to hear from you!

Call Melanie on 07985 214864
Or get in touch via info@wormingwisely.co.uk

If your horse is rubbing or itching its tail, pinworms could be the culprit.

The good news? We can help with a simple adhesive tape test and, with the right approach, you can evict them for good.

So, what actually works?

Once you’ve confirmed a pinworm problem—usually via our glamorous “sticky tape test”—it’s time to take action. Just get in touch and we’ll be happy to provide everything you need.

You can often see pinworm eggs around the anus, but you’ll need to be an early bird! The female pinworm pops out of your horse’s bottom during the night and lays a creamy beige streak of eggs on the skin around the anus (the perineal area). If you spot these first thing in the morning, it’s time to treat.

The most reliable treatment options are:

• Pyrantel
• Fenbendazole (5-day course)

Both target the worms where they live – in the digestive tract. That’s why oral dosing is essential. Always follow the instructions on the product data sheet and make sure your horse actually swallows the wormer rather than performing the classic “spit it down your sleeve” manoeuvre.

Please don’t put wormer up your horse’s bottom (yes, this has happened!)

Every now and then someone suggests applying wormer directly around the anus or squirting it up there. It’s certainly creative… but unfortunately, it isn’t effective.

Here’s why:

• The female pinworms that come out to lay eggs are already on their final mission and die shortly afterwards anyway.
• Anything applied externally is quickly removed by normal movement and faeces.
• It does nothing to tackle the worm population living inside the gut.
• It also adds unnecessary chemicals to the environment, which isn’t good for wildlife or soil health.

Hygiene: The Secret Weapon Against Reinfection

Treating pinworm without improving hygiene is a bit like washing your horse’s feed bucket and then dropping it straight back in the mud. Technically, you’ve made an effort, but the results are unlikely to last!

Medication can reduce the worm burden, but if eggs are still being spread around the stable and environment, reinfection can quickly undo all that good work.

Here’s a routine that really does help:

• Clean the area around the anus once or twice daily. This removes freshly laid eggs before they can spread. Use damp cotton wool and a plastic bag. Wipe once, place the cotton wool straight into the bag, then use a fresh piece for the next wipe. Dispose of everything carefully afterwards. Try not to wash eggs onto the ground where your horse could ingest them.
• Apply petroleum jelly (or a similar product). This helps stop eggs sticking to the skin and can also soothe irritation. Think of it as a tiny spa treatment for your horse’s bum.
• Scrub and disinfect rubbing hotspots every few days. Gate posts, stable doors, fence rails, field shelters, hay nets and mangers are all favourite scratching places. Wash surfaces first (you can’t disinfect dirt!), then use an effective disinfectant such as Virkon.
• Maintain good stable and field hygiene. Clean bedding regularly, keep stables tidy and avoid sharing grooming equipment where possible. Anywhere eggs may have been deposited or rubbed is a potential source of reinfection. Pinworm eggs can survive in the environment for up to 8–10 weeks.

Do I Need to Treat the Whole Herd?

Usually not.

Pinworm is more a case of some horses being more susceptible than others. Young horses and older horses are often more prone to infection, particularly if their immune system is already dealing with other health challenges.

Check Again (Because Pinworms Love a Comeback Tour!)

Two weeks after treatment, repeat the adhesive tape test.

If eggs are still present, the infection hasn’t been cleared and another course of treatment may be needed. Persistent cases sometimes require repeat treatment alongside continued hygiene measures.

The Bottom Line (Pun Absolutely Intended)

Pinworms are annoying, itchy and persistent—but they are absolutely beatable with:

• The right oral wormer
• A sensible hygiene routine
• A follow-up test
• A little patience and perseverance

And perhaps a sense of humour too, because nothing humbles a horse owner quite like standing in a stable at the crack of dawn armed with damp cotton wool, cleaning an equine bottom.

You’ll probably find yourself thinking:

“This is really not what I imagined when I got into horses!”

Trust us—we know exactly how you feel!

If you need help with pinworm testing, treatment advice or choosing the most appropriate wormer, do get in touch. We’re here to help with testing, advice, wormers and moral support.

 info@wormingwisely.co.uk
 07985 214864

Winning an AMTRA SQP National Award is a remarkable accomplishment and reflects the expertise, professionalism, and commitment that Melanie brings to her role every day. The National SQP awards are the centrepiece of AMTRA’s year. They recognise those who have excelled in the animal health industry across the UK. This year’s award ceremony took place at The House of Lords, with the award being presented to Melanie by Professor Lord Trees, Emeritus Professor, University of Liverpool and Working Peer.

Congratulations, Melanie, on this well-deserved award – a fantastic achievement that we are all proud to celebrate.

At Worming Wisley, we place a strong focus on early parasite control because it protects your foal and helps preserve the effectiveness of wormers over time.

Why do foals and young horses need extra care?

Horses under five are still developing their immune systems.
This makes them:
• More likely to carry heavy worm burdens
• More likely to show signs of illness
• More likely to shed large numbers of eggs onto the pasture.

Therefore, Worming Wisely recommends a structured approach to worm control during the first eighteen months of life. After that, testing becomes the foundation of a responsible programme. Every yard is different, so the exact plan for your foal will depend on grazing, stocking levels and any previous worm-related issues.

A simple worming framework for foals:

Here is a clear and practical outline based on common stud practice.
Smaller yards can adapt it to their own situation.

Around three months
Target worms: Ascarids
Action: Treat. Faecal egg counts are not useful before three months.

Four to five months
Target worms: Ascarids and cyathostomins
Action: Faecal egg count to determine whether treatment is needed and which parasites are present.

Seven to eight months
Target worms: Ascarids and cyathostomins
Action: Repeat faecal egg count to guide treatment.

Autumn or winter
Target worms: Cyathostomins
Action: Moxidectin if the foal is old enough.
If there is any suspicion of a remaining ascarid burden afterwards, a follow-up faecal egg count is essential.

Late-born foals remain primarily at risk from ascarids throughout their first winter.

Youngstock (one to five years old)
Once foals move into their yearling and youngstock years, the focus shifts to diagnostics and targeted treatment.

What this age group needs:
• Faecal egg counts every two to three months while grazing
• Faecal egg count reduction tests where possible to monitor for resistance
• Tapeworm saliva test in spring and autumn
• Group-based treatment decisions • A larvicidal dose in late autumn or winter


The bottom line:

Worm control in foals and young horses is no longer about routine dosing. It is about testing, understanding risk and making informed decisions. With resistance on the rise, every treatment needs to be chosen carefully. A thoughtful programme protects your foal today and helps preserve wormer effectiveness for the horses of tomorrow.

Need support with your foal’s worming plan? Our award-winning SQPs at Worming Wisely can build a tailored, evidence-based programme for your youngster.
We can guide you through testing, treatment choices and grazing management so your foal gets the best possible start.
We can provide all the tests and worming medications you might need to give your foal the best possible start in life.

Contact Worming Wisley today and let our award-winning SQPs help you protect your young horse

Small redworms (cyathostomins)
These are the most common and potentially harmful parasites in horses in the UK. Larvae can remain encysted in the gut wall over winter and then emerge in large numbers in spring. This can lead to serious illness if not managed correctly.

Roundworms (ascarids)
These are more commonly seen in younger horses. They can cause poor growth, a pot belly and sometimes respiratory signs during their migration through the body.

Tapeworms (Anoplocephala perfoliate)
Tapeworms are transmitted through oribatid mites, often called grass mites, which live on pasture. Horses ingest these mites while grazing. Tapeworm infections are associated with colic, particularly around the junction between the small and large intestine.

Why guessing is not enough
In the past, horses were often wormed on a routine schedule. We now know this approach can contribute to resistance, making wormers less effective over time. Not every horse carries the same worm burden, so routine treatment can lead to unnecessary use of medication and increased resistance risk.

The smarter approach: worm egg counts and saliva tests
A worm egg count is a simple test that measures the number of worm eggs in your horse’s droppings. This allows you to treat only when necessary, choose the correct product and monitor parasite levels over time. This test won’t be able to see tapeworm so in Spring and Autumn we also do a saliva test which detects the antibodies that horses produce if they have tapeworm.

A more personalised worming plan
Every horse and yard is different, so a targeted approach is more effective. Our customers receive their own record card to keep with their horse’s passport, along with tailored advice based on their horse, grazing and test results. Ongoing support and testing reminders help ensure nothing is missed throughout the year.

Good pasture management still matters
Regular poo picking at least two to three times per week, avoiding overstocking, rotating grazing where possible and not spreading untreated manure on grazing land will all help to reduce parasite risk.

Final thoughts
Spring is an important time to stay ahead of parasites before problems begin. By combining awareness, testing and a tailored plan, you can protect your horse’s health while using wormers responsibly. When you gain control of your horse’s worm burden, you will be able to dramatically reduce the amount of worming medication that you use and step down the need for testing. If you would like help with testing or setting up a worming plan, please get in touch.

As the weather warms up, intestinal worms are becoming more active. Once daytime temperatures are consistently around 10°C worm activity really begins to increase, so now is the time to act.

We recommend carrying out a worm egg count before using any wormers.

This ensures you’re only treating when necessary, choosing the right product, and helping prevent resistance.

Our customers receive their own record card to keep with their horse’s passport, along with tailored advice and testing plans to help you stay on top of your horse’s worming routine.

If you’d like help with testing or setting up a plan, just get in touch.

Let’s keep our horses happy, healthy, and well managed this season!