Worm count kits

[HeadFairy]

I’ve never had to organise my own egg count as previously yards I was on sorted it all. Any recommendations for kits for testing in the next couple of weeks? I assume at this time of year we should test for red worm?

I’ve used both Westgate Labs and Poo Post. You can buy exactly what you want on line, be it a one off sample kit or a full year pack. Collect your sample using the kit provided and post out the same day, preferably not on a Friday.
Results are sent by text or email ( your choice) within a couple of days.
Never had a problems with either company.

We use westgate labs - very efficient

Does your vet not do counts?
mine are all on a vet plan ( local independent vets) and they include 4 x poo counts and 1 x saliva count a year, but even if you aren’t on a plan (or want more like i have with my rescue companion) they easily price match westgate or similar.

I ‘met’ the lady who set up Westgate labs in an online chat room back in the late 90s. She was so generous with her advice that I have been using them ever since. I was doing worm counts 25 years ago before many people had heard of them.
I still feel confident asking their advice and trust them to be more knowledgeable than my local vet on worms.
If you haven’t already I would worm for encysted red worm as these do not always show up on counts.
Go on the Westgate website and have a read. Anything you don’t understand you can email or phone them. I’m sure they will be happy to help.

Blood test is needed for redworm. Your vet can do the poo sample and saliva test at the same time

Thanks all, have the vet coming out for vaccines so they’ll bring me a kit. How regularly would you need to test fo encysted redworm? Or is it something you only do when there are symptoms?

My vet recommends a yearly blood test, and a worm count quarterly. I think that the burden of redworm would be very high before symptoms became obvious, but worth checking that with your own vet.

I use mole valley Farmers as it's easy to pick one up in the shop when I'm getting feed. Always had quick results & good service

In the winter you need to treat for the encysted stage of redworm with Equest pramox then do worm tests every 6 weeks after that. There's a saliva tape worm test too but they are a nuisance to do. Theres a guide on the Westgate Web page (and on many vet practice websites) that explains it.

Other than giving the pramox in winter you then just worm according to test results. Mine only needed worming once last year in July (1 had a count of 200 & the other 300) the benchmark is 250 for worming.

Remember that there are no new equine wormers in the pipeline & resistance is increasing. When there is widespread resistance to current wormers we will face a welfare problem so it's important to use wormers responsibly ie do regular tests & only worm as needed, dose properly (it's far better to overdose than underside) and use methods to keep worms down - poo pick regularly, avoid harrowing un - poo picked fields, rest fields, rotate with other livestock eg sheep.

Encysted is the life stage of the redworm & not a different type of worm. They are in the encysted stage during winter & therefore not visible on counts . You need a specific wormer to treat the encysted stage (Equest pramox). You treat the encysted stage to avoid illness when the live worms come out of thejr encysted stage.

It's tricky to get your head around - have a look at the Westgate website as I think there's a visual guide.

https://www.westgatelabs.co.uk/info-zone/seasonal-parasite-control/

I have owned horses for over 30 years and am confident in my worming routine. I just had a read through some of the Westgate leaflets about specific parasites and there were things I didn’t know.

Another vote for Westgate Labs, very efficient and helpful.