Worming Your Horse in Winter: What You Should Be Doing
Winter might feel like a quiet season in terms of parasite control, but when it comes to equine worms, it’s actually a key moment to stay on top of your management plan.
The CANTER approach – Control, Assess, Need, Treat, Evaluate, Review. https://canterforhorses.org.uk/ This helps keep your horse healthy without unnecessary treatments. And if you’re unsure at any point, Worming Wisely is here to support you with qualified SQP guidance, testing, and personalised planning.
So, let’s get started:
Control: Manage the Environment, even in the Cold
Although winter slows some parasites down, their eggs and larvae can still survive in the pasture. Good environmental control is just as important now as it is in summer.
Simple actions that help:
If you’re unsure how winter pasture management might affect your worming plan, our SQP at Worming Wisely can advise on the best strategies for your yard.
Assess: Know Your Horse’s Risk
Every horse is different. Winter is a great time to take stock of:
Because weight and condition can shift in winter, Worming Wisely also offers nutritional advice, body condition scoring, and the chance to weigh your horse on our weighbridge to give you a clear picture of their health as you assess their worming needs.
Need: Only Treat When Necessary
CANTER emphasises targeted treatment, not automatic dosing. Winter’s main concern is encysted small redworms, which don’t show up on normal worm egg counts.
Not every horse will need a winter wormer, but some will. Indicators include:
If you’re unsure whether your horse genuinely needs a winter treatment, get in touch with Worming Wisely. We can look at your horse’s history, risk factors, and testing results to help you decide.
Treat: Choose the Right Winter Wormer
If treatment is recommended, selecting the correct product is essential. For encysted redworms, only:
Before treating for tapeworm, a saliva or blood test can confirm if it’s necessary. This is another service we can arrange and interpret for you.
Accurate dosing is crucial, and our weighbridge makes it easy to get an exact weight so you can treat safely and effectively.
Evaluate: Check That Your Plan Is Working
After treating, take a moment to evaluate:
If you’re unsure how to interpret symptoms or test results, Worming Wisely can help make sense of them.
Review: Keep Improving Your Worming Strategy
Parasite control is an ongoing process. After winter, review your year’s worming:
Our qualified SQP can help build a simple, targeted, year-round strategy, including reminders, egg counts, seasonal advice, and nutrition or management adjustments if needed.
Final Thoughts
Winter is a crucial time for good parasite control, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. With the CANTER approach and a little support, you can keep your horse healthy while reducing unnecessary treatments and slowing wormer resistance.
If you’d like personalised advice, help interpreting tests, or support planning your next year of targeted worm control, Worming Wisely is here to help. We offer:
Feel free to get in touch. Good worm control starts with good advice.
