01/11/2024
Did you know that 80% of worm contamination on your farm comes from just 20% of horses? Yet, some people still "blanket worm" their entire herd year-round, even though most horses don’t need it. Half the adult horse population only requires 1-2 treatments per year! That’s why regular f***l egg counts (FECs) are so important. By testing with Worm-Ed, we can identify each horse’s egg-shedding level. Not all horses shed parasite eggs equally. In fact, research shows that a small group of horses, called “high shedders,” are responsible for releasing the majority of parasite eggs on the farm. This is the 80/20 rule: 20% of horses shed 80% of the eggs!
Drench resistance works like antibiotic resistance—the more we overuse them, the faster parasites build resistance. Eventually, the treatments we rely on could stop working altogether.
So, how do you determine which horses fall into the 20% of ‘high egg shedders’? And why are some horses more vulnerable to parasites, even when they’re kept under similar conditions? The answer lies mainly in their genetics. Some horses simply have stronger immunity to parasites than others. It doesn’t matter if they are in mixed grazing or alone; their genetic “stamp” will generally override other factors.
Effective worm control begins with testing. Worm counts help pinpoint which horses actually carry parasites, so you can target treatments only where they’re needed. Our testing services and kits come with free expert advice, making it easy to manage worms and ensure your horses stay healthy.
