Worming Horses

Horsemania

Hi, What wormers do you all use, and if so which ones are the most cost effective, Ive read articles that suggest that some horses are wormed when it is not necessary, or are Worm egg counts the best way to go. Have any of you tried Verm X wormer and if so was it any good. Thanks.

helibelly

I did a worm count four weeks after using an oral wormer. Came up with no eggs, which means I won't be pumping expensive wormers into him until the early spring (for the type of worms that don't show in poo!). Used Westgate Labs (www.westgatelabs.co.uk), got the testing kit and posted it all off. I'd start there so you're worming with knowledge rather than blindly worming, which is expensive. look here:

https://www.bhs.org.uk/Horse_Care/Horse_Care_Advice/Publications/Download.aspx

for good advice as to how to plan your worming routine.

Horsemania

Thanks very much for your reply, very helpful. Its all pretty confusing, and I would rather be sure that the horse needs worming rather than using lots of products and possibly causing more problems.:)

fits

It is pretty confusing.

Two points
Worm in December for encysted redworm. That kills a lot of horses in late winter.
Worm twice a year for tapeworm.

The equest annual pack should cover you for everything but you might want to vary it a bit.

I keep meaning to do the worm count thing but have not got around to it yet. My fields should have a fairly low worm burden though...

chevalfou

Verm X is good, but more work that "conventional" wormers. I use it twice / year (Spring and Autumn), in combination with Anti-Parasitic 12x Tincture from http://www.bitlessbridle.co.uk (once / month in their feed) and my horses are happy and healthy.
I suppose I should do worm counts, but to be honest, you get a good idea by just looking that the dung .
I only use chemical wormers in an emergency. Using them every six to eight weeks as recommended by the manufacturers means that you horse is CONSTANTLY carrying a drug burden in his system.

Maggity

Speaking of worms, I've read so many things about how to tell by looking at a pony or horse if they are wormy but I still worm regularly "just in case". Can anyone give a good list of symptoms to look for? I've 3 ponies and two have heavy winter coats now that are difficult to judge. 3rd is a Connemara X Arab with a light winter coat so she is easier to judge. Thanks!

fits

if you can see symptoms, a lot of damage is already done imo.

If you're worried, get a dung sample analysed. This lab will do Irish samples.

http://www.westgatelabs.co.uk/

Maggity

Thanks!

mothoin

or support an an irish lab

http://www.irish-equine-centre.ie/

fits

mothoin wrote: »

or support an an irish lab

http://www.irish-equine-centre.ie/

Their website doesnt mention anything about worm counts.

siraxta

Hi

I worm all my horses with The Equest and Equest Pramox (each twice a year). For my breeding mares (pregnant or lactating) I use Equimax instead of the Pramox.
These wormers are a bit more expensive, but you only have to do it 4x a year and they "take" everything. All my horses are doing great and when they're healthy and happy I'm happy :-)