Everything Horse UK Everything Horse Magazine, October 2018 issue 38 | Page 26

HORSE HEALTH Worming WOES? straight Lets get a few things WORMING SEASON BY SEASON R esponsible and sustainable worm control is crucial to help keep your horse healthy and performing at his best. Follow our simple, seasonal guide to keep these pesky parasites in check all year round, says Dr Wendy Talbot, National Equine Veterinary Manager at Zoetis. Good worm control involves much more than just giving a horse a wormer. Worms are becoming resistant to some wormers so it’s no longer acceptable to simply dose all horses routinely throughout the year. Every horse should be assessed as an individual. Faecal worm egg counts (FWECs) should be used as a mainstay and the rules of strategic worming should be followed conscientiously to tackle encysted small redworm and bots. Treatment or testing for the important tapeworm should be included. In addition horses should always be weighed before worming for accurate dosing and pasture should be managed efficiently to minimise contamination and the spread of infection. 26 EVERYTHING HORSE MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2018 • ISSUE 38