New foals are here, the long wait is over and your mare and foal are out enjoying the warmer weather and good grass.
In this blog, we look at how you can begin a healthy worming schedule giving your foal the best possible start in life.
Worms in foals – what every owner should know:
Raising a foal is one of the most rewarding parts of horse ownership. Those early months are full of curiosity, growth and new experiences. They are also a time when young horses are at their most vulnerable to worms. Foals and young stock simply do not have the same natural immunity as adult horses, which means parasites can cause problems quickly if they are not managed well.
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
