If your horse or pony has a major worm burden it can cause damage to the gut, which in turn can lead to colic and diarrhoea. In severe cases, this can result in life threatening problems.

It used to be that horse owners were advised to regularly use wormers, but in recent years this advice has changed because the worms have become resistant to wormers due to their overuse. The latest advice is to follow a strict worm management routine, by doing regular faecal worm egg counts (FWEC), and then applying a targeted worming approach.

It is recommended that a FWEC is done throughout the spring and summer months at regular eight-week intervals. This is the period when worms are most likely to be active in horses, with an increasing population, which makes it the best time to count for eggs. The results will tell you whether a wormer is needed or not. By doing this, it prevents wormers being used unnecessarily, which ultimately gives the wormer a better chance of working effectively in the future.

A FWEC can usually be performed by your vet or through a specialist laboratory. Both should supply you with a sample collection kit, and once you have the sample you simply return it to them.

There are limitations with FWECs due to the type of eggs that can be seen, so it is also advised to do a saliva or blood test to check for tapeworm levels, and a blood test for red worms. For details on the saliva test, click here.

Once you have had a FWEC done, your vet will be able to provide you with the most appropriate advice on whether a wormer is required, and if so which one.

There is also good advice and guidance available in regards to testing-led deworming at www.bhs.org.uk