Mal’s Equine Worm Egg Counts

09/09/2025

🐴 Let’s Talk Moxidectin 🐴

Moxidectin is one of the most important worming tools we have for horses right now — but it’s also one we need to protect. Why? Because it’s currently the only active ingredient available that can target encysted small redworms (cyathostomes), which are some of the most dangerous parasites horses can carry.

👉 The risk? If moxidectin is used too often, worms can become resistant to it. And once resistance takes hold, we can’t turn back the clock — we lose that tool forever.

That’s why vets and parasitologists recommend keeping moxidectin as a “once-a-year” treatment, ideally in autumn, when the aim is to clear encysted redworm larvae before winter.

Overusing moxidectin (for example, using it every couple of months “just in case”) isn’t making your horse safer — it’s putting the whole horse community at risk by speeding up resistance.

✅ So what can you do?
• Use Faecal Egg Counts (FECs) through the year to check if worming is actually needed.
• Save moxidectin for when it’s really required: once a year in autumn.
• Rotate with other products only when testing shows they’re needed.

By using moxidectin wisely, we protect its effectiveness for the future — for our horses, and everyone else’s too.

06/09/2025

02/09/2025

🌱🐴 Springtime Worming in Tassie – Let’s Talk Tapeworms! 🪱

Ahhh, spring in Tasmania… the grass is growing, the paddocks are greening up, and your horses are busy pretending they’re lawnmowers. But hidden in all that lush green goodness is a sneaky little hitchhiker: the oribatid mite. 🐜

These tiny mites carry tapeworm larvae. Horses munch the mite while grazing (snack with a surprise filling 🤢), and the larvae set up camp in the horse’s gut. Over 6–10 weeks, they grow into adult tapeworms that like to hang out near the ileocaecal junction (the ‘traffic controller’ where small intestine meets large intestine).

Too many of them hanging around = 🚦 traffic jams, irritation, and sometimes even colic. Not cool.

👉 So why do we target tapeworms in late spring (Nov) in Tasmania?
Because by this time, the tapeworms your horse picked up in winter/early spring have matured into adults and are vulnerable to treatment. The cooler, wetter Tassie climate = more mites hanging around longer, so tapeworm transmission here is often higher than in drier parts of Australia.

💉 Treatment (if testing shows a burden, or if you’re managing a high-risk horse like a foal, senior, rescue, or immunocompromised friend) = Praziquantel, usually in combo with ivermectin or oxfendazole (e.g., Equimax, Strategy-T).

✔️ Not every horse needs treating every year, so testing is best (I offer this service 😉). But late spring is the sweet spot if tapeworms are on the menu.

So while you’re enjoying the flowers and the warmer weather, don’t forget about those little gut freeloaders. 🌼🐴 A quick spring check (and treat if needed) will keep your horse’s tummy happy and your pasture healthier.

30/08/2025

🌟 Exciting news!! 🌟
I’m so pleased to share that I now offer a tapeworm-specific test for horses — something that’s been over a year in the making.

🧪 Why test for tapeworms?
Tapeworms (Anoplocephala spp.) are sneaky. Unlike other common horse worms, they don’t shed eggs consistently — which means they’re often missed on a standard worm egg count. Yet, high tapeworm burdens have been linked to colic, weight loss, and gut inflammation. Testing gives you answers before problems arise.

🔬 How this test is different
This method uses a larger sample, extra preparation steps (including centrifugation), and a special flotation solution designed to recover these heavier, less reliably shed eggs. It’s been shaped by dozens of scientific papers and refined with the help of national and international parasitologists, researchers, and FEC specialists.

🌼 When to test
Spring and autumn are the best times, as horses are more likely to be shedding tapeworm eggs during these seasons. Testing every 6 months helps guide the correct use of praziquantel-based drenches — meaning you only treat when it’s needed. That’s less unnecessary chemical use, reduced risk of resistance, and healthier horses long term.

🎯 The smart, strategic, science-based way to manage tapeworms.

💰 $25 per test or Combo (FEC + Tapeworm) – $35
📬 Easy to send your own sample
✅ Interpretation included
📩 Message me

25/08/2025

🌱 Worm Egg Counts – When’s the Best Time? 🌱

I love seeing the samples you all send in — it’s fantastic that so many horse owners are taking the step to check what’s really going on inside their horses. 🐴💚

One thing I’ve noticed is that many samples arrive in the couple of weeks after a wormer has been given. While I’m always happy to test these, the results can be a little misleading because the wormer is still actively working, which can mask what was really there beforehand.

👉 For the clearest picture, the best time to do a worm egg count is before worming. That way, you’ll know whether your horse actually needs treatment — and if you do decide to worm, you can also follow up later to check how well it worked.

So next time you’re planning a treatment, consider popping a test in first. It’s a simple step that can save unnecessary worming, protect your horse’s gut, and help keep wormers working for the long run. 🌟

16/08/2025

Make worming stress-free! 🐴

Turn dewormer time into a treat by washing and refilling syringes with applesauce or molasses. Most horses will happily open their mouths—no more struggles!

⚠️ Only use sweet fillers for healthy horses. Skip them if your horse has metabolic issues or a history of laminitis.

Pro tip: Start with a small amount to see how your horse responds, then adjust as needed.

06/08/2025

🧹🐴 Does Picking Up Poo Really Help with Worm Control? Yes — and Here’s the Proof!

A study from The Donkey Sanctuary in the UK looked at whether picking up poo in paddocks helps reduce worm burdens — and the answer is a big yes.

🌱 What did they do?
Over 7 months, researchers monitored 345 donkeys kept in different paddocks. Some paddocks had poo removed twice a week (by hand or machine), and some didn’t.

💩 What did they find?
Donkeys on the clean paddocks had significantly lower worm egg counts than those on dirty ones. It didn’t matter whether the poo was picked up by hand or with a machine — both were just as effective.

🚫 Why does this matter?
The worms in this study were small strongyles (cyathostomins), which are the same worms that commonly affect horses. With worm resistance on the rise, picking up poo is one of the best ways to reduce infection and cut down on unnecessary worming.

👍 What this means for horse owners
Even if you’re not treating with chemicals, regular poo picking (ideally twice a week) makes a real difference in reducing worm levels on your pasture. Less reinfection = fewer wormers needed.

🧪 Want to see the science?
Here’s the published article:
📖

The level of anthelmintic resistance within some cyathostomin parasite populations has increased to the level where sole reliance on anthelmintic-based control protocols is not possible. Management-based nematode control methods, including removal ...

30/07/2025

📚🐴 Did you know there’s a whole section of free, practical parasite info on my website?

If you’ve ever wondered:
• When you should test your horse for worms
• What those egg count numbers actually mean
• Why “just worming them all” isn’t the safest plan
• How to manage paddocks to reduce parasite risk…

…it’s all there, written for real horse owners — no jargon, no fluff.

🔗 www.malsequine.com.au

It’s part of my mission to help you treat smarter, not harder — so whether you’ve got one paddock ornament or a whole riding school, you’ll find something useful.

👉 Have a read and let me know if there’s a topic you’d love to see covered next!

Accurate equine worm egg count testing for horses, ponies, and donkeys. Make informed worming decisions with clear results and expert guidance. Serving Australia-wide.

20/07/2025

🤰🐴 Worming Pregnant Mares — and What to Do When Baby Arrives
Strategic parasite control is essential for both the mare and the foal. During pregnancy and early life, timing, safety, and testing all matter more than ever.

✅ Do Pregnant Mares Need a Worming Schedule?
Yes — but it should be strategic, not routine.
🔬 Faecal egg counts (FECs) should guide treatment decisions.
This avoids over-treating, reduces resistance, and keeps both mare and foal healthier.

⛔ Wormers to Avoid During Pregnancy:
These are not recommended for use in pregnant mares:

Moxidectin (e.g. Equest, Ultramox) — avoid, especially early in pregnancy

Combination wormers (multi-active formulas) — always check labels and seek advice

✅ Wormers Considered Safe for Pregnant Mares:
✔️ Ivermectin
✔️ Fenbendazole
✔️ Pyrantel embonate
✔️ Praziquantel — generally safe later in pregnancy (for tapeworm control)

👉 Use these only when FEC results show treatment is needed

🧪 Re-test every 6–8 weeks, or as advised for your mare’s risk level.

⏰ Timing Tips for Mares:
🐣 Avoid worming in the final days before foaling (minimises stress)

❄️ Avoid unnecessary worming in early pregnancy, especially with high-risk actives

📅 Use FECs in early and mid-pregnancy to guide decisions

🐎 And Once the Foal Arrives…
Foals are especially vulnerable to parasites like ascarids (roundworms) — and they require a different approach than adult horses.

👶 What to Do for Foals:
✅ Begin monitoring from 6 weeks of age
Foals can begin picking up parasites early, especially in warmer seasons.

✅ Run the first FEC between 8–10 weeks of age
This is when roundworm eggs typically begin to show in manure — testing helps avoid blind worming.

✅ Treat only if needed, using a foal-safe wormer like fenbendazole or pyrantel embonate

✅ Repeat FECs every 6–8 weeks until the foal is about 6 months old
At that point, you can transition to an adult-style targeted worming plan.

👩‍⚕️ Need a plan for your broodmare or foal?
That’s what I’m here for. I can help you stay on top of parasite control using FEC testing and seasonally smart strategies tailored to Tasmania.

📩 Message me today.

16/07/2025

🧬 Anthelmintic Resistance in Australian Horses: What You Need to Know (Last 5 Years)

Worm resistance is no longer just a theory — it's a growing reality in Aussie horses. Pictured is a breakdown of how the main worming drugs are holding up 👇

🔬 What Can YOU Do?
🧪 FECRT (Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test)
→ Run at least once per year to check if your wormer is still working.
→ Especially important if you're worming based on egg counts.

📅 Track ERP (Egg Reappearance Period):
Shortened ERP = early warning of resistance.
Moxidectin: Should last ~12 weeks
→ If eggs reappear

13/07/2025

🧪 Found during a routine worm egg count: not a parasite, but a peculiar little passenger!

This spiky character turned up in a recent FEC (faecal egg count) sample. While it might look like something out of a horror movie under the microscope (those legs! those bristles!), this is most likely a free-living forage mite—and not a threat to your horse’s health.

🌾 Forage mites live naturally in the environment—especially in hay, straw, pasture, manure heaps, and even decomposing organic matter. Horses can accidentally ingest or carry them into manure samples when:
• Grazing close to the ground
• Eating from hay on the soil
• Rolling in bedding or pasture

They’re not parasites, and they don’t require treatment. These mites feed on organic debris, fungi, and occasionally bacteria—not your horse. So while they might photobomb your sample slide, they’re just innocent bystanders.

🔬 Forage mites can be mistaken for parasites by the untrained eye, but their:
• Body shape (oval or rounded with distinct legs and hairs)
• Movement (many are active and quick)
• Lack of parasitic egg stages
make them easily distinguishable from worm eggs with experience and the right setup.

💡 This is why FEC interpretation is about more than just spotting “something.” It’s about understanding what you’re seeing—and what it doesn’t mean. Not everything under the microscope is a cause for concern. Some things are just cool!

✅ At Mal’s Equine Worm Egg Counts, we combine years of research, training, and global collaboration with parasitologists and other FEC specialists to bring you smart, strategic, and science-based worm control. Because targeted treatment starts with accurate information.

📷 So next time you hear “we found something,” don’t panic—it might just be one of nature’s tiny composters minding its own business!

🔬 Reference: Information adapted from veterinary parasitology and acarology resources, including microscopy guides from NSW DPI and Merck Veterinary Manual.

08/07/2025

💡Worming Tip: Did Your Horse Really Get the Full Dose?

I recently ran a faecal egg count (FEC) on a horse just 2 weeks after treatment, and guess what? I still found a worm egg. That was a surprise—until the owner mentioned something important:

💬 “She might not have swallowed the whole dose. I think she spat some out.”

💥 Bingo! This is something I see quite a bit—and it’s more common than you’d think.

Here’s the thing: even a small amount of wormer missed can mean the horse doesn’t get an effective dose. That can lead to two big problems:
Worms survive (as we saw in this case), and
Resistance risk increases over time.

So here are some tips I often share to help make sure the full dose goes down the hatch:

🐴💊 How to Make Sure Your Horse Gets the Whole Wormer Dose:
🪄 1. The nose-lift trick:
After giving the wormer, gently lift your horse’s head up as high as you can. This helps the paste slide to the back of the throat. I’ve had to start wearing a helmet while doing this—lesson learned the hard way! 😅

📈 2. Account for spitters:
If your horse is a known spitter, consider giving a little extra to make up for what might end up on the ground or stuck to their face (chat with your vet if unsure about how much extra).

🪥 3. De-sensitise to the tube:
In the days leading up to worming, try offering a clean syringe with something tasty like molasses or apple sauce. This helps make the real thing less of a drama.

🧼 4. Clean the mouth first:
Wipe away any feed or slobber around the lips so the paste doesn’t just get mixed with food and spit back out.

🤐 5. Hold and encourage swallowing:
After dosing, hold the horse’s mouth closed briefly, or gently stroke the throat to trigger a swallow. A small treat after they've swallowed can also help create a positive association.

⏰ 6. Pick your moment:
Try worming when your horse is calm and relaxed—not during high-energy times or right before feeding.

👥 7. Don’t go it alone:
Have a helper if needed—especially with wiggly or head-tossing horses. It’s safer and more effective.

🔢 8. Weigh, don’t guess:
Always base your dose on an accurate weight. Underdosing can start with the dial on the syringe. A weight tape is better than a guess, and a weighbridge is even better.

🎓 9. Consider a worming bit:
There’s a handy tool called a worming bit that some owners swear by. It’s like a bridle that delivers the paste more safely and cleanly. Mine cost under $40 and I use it for demos—but people who’ve used it love it.

🍽 10. Try pellets (for some cases):
There are worming pellets available that are easier for tricky horses—but they don’t always cover the same range as other products.

✅ The good news? In the case I mentioned, it wasn’t a resistance issue—just an underdose. And that’s something we can absolutely fix!

🔬 This is why FECs are such a useful tool. They help us spot problems early, tailor the plan, and avoid blanket dosing. Because smart worming isn’t just about what you use—but how you use it.

📚 Reference: Based on AAEP and WAAVP guidelines on equine parasite control and dosing accuracy, as well as veterinary handling recommendations.
aaep.org/guidelines/internal-parasite-control-guidelines