Routine worming without knowing what’s actually present is one of the most common (and costly) approaches to equine parasite management. Resistance to chemical wormers is now widespread across the UK and also has a significant environmental impact. A horse worm count gives you an accurate picture of your horse’s current parasite burden, allowing treatment to be targeted only where it is genuinely needed.
Wormcount provides fast, accurate faecal egg count (FEC) testing for horses, ponies and donkeys direct to owners, yards and equine practices across the UK. Send us your sample using our easy-to-use collection kit, and our experienced laboratory team will return a detailed PDF report, with free access to our in-house clinical team of Registered Animal Medicines Advisors (RAMAs) available to help you interpret your results and advise on appropriate next steps.
We offer a range of horse worm count and equine parasite screening options to support a targeted, evidence-based approach to worming throughout the year. Not sure which test is right for your horse or at what time of year? Our quick guide can help.
Intestinal worms are among the most significant parasite concerns for horses, with strongyles (redworms), including the particularly damaging encysted small redworm, presenting a serious risk to equine health. A faecal egg count identifies and quantifies the worm eggs present in your horse’s droppings, giving an indication of adult worm burden and allowing targeted treatment where the count warrants it. Because research suggests that as few as 20% of horses carry 80% of the worm burden on a typical yard, selective treatment based on egg counts can be a far more effective and responsible approach than blanket worming. Our results are reported as eggs per gram (epg) of faeces, with an easy-to-understand guide included in every report. Please note that tapeworms are intermittent egg shedders and may not always be detected on a routine FEC. An annual tapeworm treatment or a dedicated tapeworm test is recommended alongside regular worm counting.
Equine lungworm (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi) is particularly prevalent in donkeys, which often carry it without showing any obvious signs, and can transfer to horses that share grazing with them. In horses, symptoms may include persistent coughing, elevated breathing rates and general lethargy. But, as with many parasites, infections can also be entirely asymptomatic, making regular screening especially valuable. Our lungworm screen detects live larvae in the faecal sample and is a recommended addition to routine worm counting, particularly for horses that graze alongside donkeys or in mixed herds.