WINTER WORMING

FWEC are less useful in the winter as fewer eggs are shed. As a general rule, the most useful time to FWEC is between March and September. It’s also important to remember that FWEC will not detect certain parasites, such as tapeworm, so the decision to worm for these cannot be based on results. The parasites that are generally treated for during autumn/winter are:

ENCYSTED REDWORM

(cyathostomins) — These are small redworm that burrow into the gut wall and encyst. They generally remain there over the winter and then, in late winter/ early spring when the weather changes, they re-emerge, creating extensive damage to the gut wall. Signs of mass emergence include diarrhoea, weight loss and colic. It can be fatal. While there is a higher risk in younger horses, adults can still be affected, so it’s strongly advised that all horses are treated with a suitable wormer against encysted redworm in the autumn (November is the recommended month). Younger or high-risk horses will need another dose in the spring. TAPEWORMS — While FWEC won’t detect tapeworm, two tests for tapeworm in horses are now available — a blood test and a saliva test — and worming should be based on these results. In adult horses, worming should be done either six monthly (spring and autumn) or yearly, depending on what your vet advises. Tapeworm eggs continue to be shed following the death of the parasite, so horses suspected of having a tapeworm burden should ideally be kept stabled for three days following tapeworm treatment.