20/11/2025
🚫 Still Reaching for Equest Pramox This Winter?
For years, winter worming with Equest Pramox has been a routine step for many horse owners. But it’s time to challenge that tradition.
With increasing concern about wormer resistance, it’s essential we rethink our approach and use these drugs only when truly necessary.
🧠 Why We Need to Change:
🐛 Moxidectin (found in Equest and Equest Pramox) is the only wormer effective against encysted redworm — overuse risks future resistance.
🐛 Praziquantel (in Equest Pramox) is one of only two drugs effective against tapeworm — again, overuse is dangerous.
🐛 Resistance is already being reported, and no new wormers are in development. We must preserve the ones we have.
🐛 Horses with consistently low worm egg counts (WECs) through summer often don’t need treatment for encysted redworm in winter.
🐛 Only around 25% of UK horses have a significant tapeworm burden — meaning most horses don’t need praziquantel either.
🐛 Wormers can negatively affect gut health and the environment (excreted chemicals harm aquatic life and dung beetles).
🐴 So, What Should You Do?
✅ Use worm egg counts (WECs) and tapeworm saliva tests to assess whether treatment is needed.
✅ Only treat when there is evidence of a worm burden — not just because it’s winter.
✅ Choose a targeted worming plan based on your horse’s individual risk.
