Mal’s Equine Worm Egg Counts

08/01/2025

Flies are a common part of most stables, often swatted at but rarely hit. However flies are also carriers of diseases that can seriously harm your horse's health and performance.

04/01/2025

*** WORMING PART 3 - REDWORM ***

I first posted this in 2019, but after reading a LOT of worrying comments recently about how people don’t worm their horses at all, as they do worm egg counts, I thought it was time to do a little encysted redworm refresher!

1. Redworm can kill your horse.

2. Encysted small redworm are NOT DETECTABLE in worm egg counts.

3. The larvae of small redworm, “encyst” or burrow into the gut wall. These can cause fatal consequences when they re-emerge.

4. Redworm appear as tiny pieces of thread in your horse’s droppings. They are very short and thin, and can be hard to see. They are white if they haven’t yet fed, and red if they have fed.

5. A horse can appear completely normal and healthy whilst carrying a large redworm burden. However, weight loss and diarrhoea may be early indicators; don’t ignore these signs.

6. Most wormers DO NOT target encysted redworm. Only TWO do: Fenbendazole and Moxidectin.

7. Lots of combination wormers contain IVERMectin. This WILL NOT have any effect on encysted redworm. The only wormer that contains MOXIDectin, is EQUEST. The Pramox (blue) version will treat tapeworm at the same time. Don’t use Pramox if you have treated separately for tapeworm, or used a saliva or blood test for tapeworm. Use the normal Equest (green) if this is the case.

8. Redworm are eaten by the horse during grazing. The larvae start to burrow into the gut wall as temperatures drop. Treating for encysted redworm whilst temperatures are warm, is not the optimal time, as the larvae may well not have started to encyst. Treating after a few hard frosts, also reduces the level of reinfection from larvae already on the fields.

9. The larvae stay in the gut wall during the winter, and are then triggered to emerge from the gut wall as the temperatures warm up in the Spring. If the horse has not been treated for redworm during this redworm “hibernation” stage, he/she is at risk of developing CYATHOSTOMINOSIS.

10. Cyathostominosis has a mortality (death) rate of up to 50%. It presents as colitis; profuse diarrhoea and colic. Contact your vet immediately if you see these symptoms in your horse at any time of year, but it is more likely to be due to redworm if this occurs in the Spring.

11. Ensure you have treated for encysted redworm before temperatures start to increase as Spring arrives, incase of a large encysted redworm burden that may suddenly emerge.

12. There is a very new blood test for all stages of redworm, including encysted. I have not yet used this, but worth discussing with your vet. I would not be recommending this route for high risk redworm horses ie horses in herds with no poo picking, or rescue cases.

13. 5 day Panacur Guard (Fenbendazole) is the only other wormer that can treat the encysted stage of redworm. There was widespread resistance to this wormer, and a huge move towards everyone using Moxidectin for encysted redworm. It is my wormer of choice for very sick or poor horses, due to its milder action over 5 days. However, there is some evidence that it may cause more damage to the gut than Moxidectin, so more research is definitely required!

14. Poo picking daily is perfect pasture management, but does not mean that your horse is worm free! You still need to egg count/blood test for all worms and/or worm.

15. Herbal wormers do not work.

16. Worm egg counts do not detect encysted redworms (or tapeworm/bots/pinworm). I realise I am repeating myself, but this is something that lots of people still do not realise.

17. Do not UNDERDOSE when worming, as this will aid resistance. If in doubt, add 50kg to the weigh tape weight of your horse. Wormers are very safe with regards to toxic doses.

This is not an exhaustive review of redworm, and I may add to the list if I think of anything else, but I hope this is of some use! Worming regimes and what worm egg counts detect, seems to cause lots of confusion amongst horse owners, and even yard owners.

Blood tests currently used for tapeworm, and just being introduced for redworm, measure antibody levels to the worm. The saliva test also measures antibodies. The concern here would be false positives. This means the test coming back as positive when your horse has been clear of the worm in question for months. Antibody levels remain high for months following successful treatment for the worm being tested for. However, a negative obviously means the horse has been clear for a good few months. Still a lot of research to go I think!

EDIT: obviously the blood test for encysted redworm is not new now, but I still haven’t used it, as we know how inaccurate ELISAs can be, and redworm can, and will, kill.

Happy reading!

Feel free to share, as this is really something that all horse owners should know!

And it’s a good time to worm for encysted redworm, around about NOW!

23/12/2024

19/12/2024

Drop off dates for the first 6 months of 2025 for drop off locations around the state

I will keep this post pinned in my featured posts so everyone can easily find it for the dates. And I will update the dates as we move through the year

I’d like to thank all these amazing businesses in supporting me and providing their stores as drop off locations for our awesome customers! You are amazing

If there isn’t a drop off location near you then feel free to pop your sample in the post and address it to…
Malena Hyde
691 Brown Mountain Rd
Underwood 7268

Here is a list of the generous locations and dates for the rest of the year where you can drop off your faecal worm egg count samples for testing.

Faecal worm egg count test = $15 per test
FEC reduction test = $15 per test
Fast turnaround time

Beaconsfield- At The Feed Shed
Every third Mon - Wed of the month
JAN 20-22
FEB 17-19
MAR 17-19
APR 21-23
MAY 19-21
JUN 16-18

Burnie - CH & MH Sargent (CRT)
Every fourth Mon - Wed of the month
JAN 27-29
FEB 24-26
MAR 24-26
APR 28-30
MAY 26-28
JUN 23-25

Devonport - Saddleworld
Drop off anytime (in opening hours) at your convenience. Just let me know your sample is there and I’ll arrange pick up

Launceston - Saddleworld
Drop off anytime (in opening hours) at your convenience. Just let me know your sample is there and I’ll pick it up

Scottsdale - Nutrien
Every first Mon - Wed of the month
JAN 6-8
FEB 3-5
MAR 3-5
APR 7-9
MAY 5-7
JUN 2-4

17/12/2024

BENZIMIDAZOLE!

Click on the images to read and learn more

09/12/2024

MACROCYCLIC LACTONES!

I’m starting to look a little more closely at each different worming drug class.

Click on the images to read and learn more

19/11/2024

Parasite Management of Foals

Resistance to horse wormers has now been reported across all drug classes in Australia and poses a significant concern for owners of young horses. A diagnostic-led approach to worming is easily implemented in adult horses but may not be as straightforward for owners of foals and youngstock.

Key parasites affecting foals
1. Ascarids
• Parascaris equorum (Ascarids) is an important cause of disease in foals and young horses (

05/11/2024

05/11/2024

What is refugia?

Horse parasite refugia is a population of worms that have not been exposed to anthelmintic treatments, such as dewormers. This can include worms within an untreated horse, encysted cyathostomes (redworm), and those parasite stages on the pasture. The goal of a refugia is to dilute the population of resistant worms and prevent them from becoming a significant proportion of the farm's worm population.

Here are some things to consider when managing parasite refugia:

Seasonal environmental patterns
The development and survival of worm larvae is influenced by seasonal environmental patterns, such as temperature and rainfall. In regions with short periods of hot and dry or cold weather, or where there is regular rainfall, larvae can develop and survive year-round. In regions with prolonged periods of dry, very hot, or very cold weather, few larvae will develop or survive.

Anthelmintic treatments
When refugia is low, it's important to keep anthelmintic (wormer) treatments to a minimum to reduce the selection for resistant worms. Only worm your horse when you need to.

Leaving some horses untreated
Some horses are natural high shedders, meaning they shed a higher number of eggs onto the pasture. Leaving a few horses untreated can help reduce the development of resistance.

30/10/2024

Below is some terrific info on how different temperatures affect our main problem worm, Strongyles or redworm.

L1, L2 & L3 simply refer to the maturity of the larval stage of the parasite. L1 is the youngest and L3 is just before the adult stage 😉

24/10/2024

Drop off locations around the state 🥳

I will keep this post pinned in my featured posts so everyone can easily find it for the dates. And I will update the dates as we move into the new year.

Firstly… I’d like to thank all of these amazing businesses in supporting me and providing their stores as drop off locations for our awesome customers! You are amazing ☺️

If you work or manage a store in regional Tas that also stocks horse wormers and think that the business might like to work with me and provide a drop off location then get in touch or leave a comment.

If there isn’t a drop off location near you then feel free to pop your sample in the post and address it to…
Malena Hyde
691 Brown Mountain Rd
Underwood 7268

Here is a list of the generous locations and dates for the rest of the year where you can drop off your faecal worm egg count samples for testing.

Faecal worm egg count test = $15 per test
FEC reduction test = $15 per test
Fast turnaround time

Beaconsfield- At The Feed Shed
Every third Mon - Wed of the month
Nov 18-20
Dec 16-18

Burnie - CH & MH Sargent (CRT)
Every fourth Mon - Wed of the month
Oct 28-30
Nov 25-27
Dec 16-18

Devonport - Saddleworld
Drop off anytime (in opening hours) at your convenience. Just let me know your sample is there and I’ll arrange pick up

Launceston - Saddleworld
Drop off anytime (in opening hours) at your convenience. Just let me know your sample is there and I’ll pick it up

Scottsdale - Nutrien
Every first Mon - Wed of the month
Nov 4-6
Dec 2-4

18/10/2024

If you need some testing done then grab a sample over the weekend and drop it in store.

Only $15 per test with a fast turnaround time

15/10/2024

BURNIE and surrounding Horsey People 🐴🤠

The amazing people Burnie CH & MH SARGENT PTY LTD have kindly agreed to become a drop off point for all of your sample 🥳

So every fourth Monday - Wednesday of each month you can pop into their store to leave your samples and they will be kept at perfect storage condition. Please have you samples in store by Wednesday 2pm so samples are ready for me to pick them up ☺️

I am able to do other livestock as well but at this stage can only offer FECs & FECRTs

See the pic for all the drop off dates for the rest of the year 🗓️

While you are there dropping off your samples you can browse around and find some bargains, pick up feed or other essential animal care items.

05/10/2024

What is a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) & why is it important?

An initial faecal egg count (FEC) is performed to determine if worming treatment is even needed. If the FEC results suggest that worming treatment is required, then do so.

The day of administering the wormer is day 0. Then 10-14 days after administering the wormer, a second sample is tested for a FEC.

A FECRT is a calculation that can be done once you have both the initial and post worming FEC results. This calculation estimates the efficiency or effectiveness of the chosen wormer.

With increasing resistance occurring across ALL horse anthelmintics/wormers it is important to know if the wormer you have used has actually worked on reducing the amount of worm eggs released in the manure. If the efficiency is reduced, then there is a change that you horse may suffer from worm related disease.

If you suspect that the worming treatment has failed or reduced efficacy as a result of resistance then it is important to have the FECRT performed.

The calculation used to determine the FECRT is pictured as well as an interpretation of these result.

02/10/2024

Beaconsfield & Scottsdale and surrounding areas!!

Here are the drop off dates for the rest of the year 🗓️

Scottsdale Nutrien is the first Mon - Wed of the month.

Beaconsfield At The Feed Shed is the third Mon - Wed of the month.

As always… Launceston & Devonport Saddleworld are always available for sample drop offs whenever is convenient for you!

Get in touch with me if for more details ☺️
Only $15 per test with a fast turnaround

If you work or manage a store in regional Tas that also stocks horse wormers and think that the business might like to work with me and provide a drop off location then get in touch for more details or leave a comment
😊🐴 💩 🪱

24/09/2024

PREBIOTICS & PROBIOTICS
Reduce the risk of worming by supporting good gut health

Treating your horse for worms is important but worming drugs can cause imbalances in the gut bacteria which in turn can create its own problems.

Your horse’s digestive tract is over 100ft long and contains billions of bacteria. This vast ecosystem of bugs (the microflora) consists of both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria in a delicate balance. The good bacteria help your horse to digest food, stimulate the immune system, and maintain a healthy digestive system, whereas the bad bacteria can be potentially life threatening. An overgrowth of bad bacteria can cause a range of problems including inflammation and damage of the gut leading to diarrhoea, a reduced ability to digest fibre and a predisposition to laminitis, toxin release and blood poisoning, excess gas which can lead to colic or a grumpy disposition and aggression.

Dysbiosis is the term given to an imbalance of the microflora. There are many possible causes of dysbiosis – such as dietary change, stress, antibiotic therapy and anthelmintic treatment (worming).

Although some parasites migrate to other organs as part of their lifecycle (such as blood vessels, liver and lungs), most worms will spend the majority of their life in the horses gut. Their presence can cause dysbiosis, inflammation, damage to the gut wall, poor digestion, malabsorption of nutrients, anaemia or physical blockages
These changes can ultimately lead to failure to thrive, diarrhoea, colic and general ill health. Therefore, it is vital to have an effective worm control program in place which is appropriate for your horse and your property. Feeding a daily probiotic &/or prebiotic supplement can help to reduce some of the damage caused by worms in the intestine, by boosting the good bacteria and regulating the immune response.

What about worming?
It’s likely that your worm control program will include the use of anthelmintic drugs (wormers). Worming your horse can cause a sudden and marked effect on the gut ecosystem. The gut can become inflamed, motility is affected, and the microflora can become imbalanced. This is especially so when there are large numbers of worms or when the encysted larvae of the small redworm are targeted. A key stage when carrying out a colic examination is taking the worming history, not only to gauge the chance of the horse carrying a large worm burden but also because recent worming treatment is a common cause of colic, and other conditions such as diarrhoea.

Will a targeted worming programme help?
One way to reduce the risk is to worm only when necessary by running a targeted parasite control programme based on worm counts and tests, treating the horses when needed. This has the added benefit of helping to reduce the build-up of resistance that renders the drugs less effective. Using faecal egg counts will not only help to prevent the spread of resistance but also reduces the risk of dysbiosis associated with worming, as most horses will be treated less often.

What if you do need to worm?
If you do need to worm then a helpful way to reduce the negative side-effects of worming is to provide increased probiotic supplementation at this time. A five day course of prebiotics prior to worming gives a boost of good bacteria around the time of worming (or travel, stress, dietary change etc). Wormers are often given during times of dietary change, i.e. around turn out in spring, which can further increase the stress on the microflora.

Probiotics are proven to help restore a balanced microflora, stimulate the growth of good bacteria, and promote good digestive health.

Intestinal problems can quickly become very serious in horses and we would always advise contacting your veterinary surgeon if your horse has a digestive upset.

22/09/2024

Something a bit different ☺️

Doing some R&D on old FEC samples to be able to offer more different tests for you guys 👩‍🔬🧬🧫🧪

Watch this space 😉