Wormers

[jane]

I have just been ordering a wormer for Deb's, and thought I would recommend the site I use, have used them before and always have quick service and think the prices are very reasonable.

www.wormers.co.uk/acatalog/index.html

[dannyboy]

Jane thanks for the link. This is something I really need to address as I need to get Murphy wormed but unsure as what to do or what type to get. I got his done the last time with the vet, would I be better to get him to do it again or could I do it myself?

[fleabitten]

You can get the vet to do out a worming program for you. Or you could use worm counts and they tell you if you need to worm and if so, what to use. we used Westgate Labs and they were a good service.

[jane]

Personally I would chat to qualified person at feed merchants or just buy one of the year packs of four wormers.

The vet is very expensive way to do it, it is literally a syringe that you just push into the side of the mouth and back towards the throat and squirt... all done.

The year packs contain four syringes and you use one when it tells you to. Couldn't be simpler. You just get a different type the following year.

[scattymare]

DB worming really is easy to do yourself. Save yourself the expense of the vet. You literally just insert the syringe into the corner of the mouth (pointing towards the back so it goes straight towards his throat) squeeze the syringe and just lift his head slightly until he swallows. Most horses d not object to it much.
In regard to knowing what to use, this site has a good plan and they also sell all the wormers at a good price -
www.wormers-direct.co.uk/calendar.html
Worm counts as Flea mentioned are also a good idea to see if he needs worming - send off for a free kit and you just send a bit of poop and the company will tell you what you need. You must be aware though that worm counts do not show results for I think it's Redworm so you still need to worm for this.

[fleabitten]

Yeah, its pretty easy, we got plenty of practice sticking syringes down horses throats lol!

If you get the worm count it will tell you if you need to worm and they will also tell you what wormer to use - they were very helpful. Worm counts are good cos they limit the amount of chemicals going into the horse, however you need to have good grass management in order for the horses worm count to go down - i.e. poo picking, rotational grazing with other animals, scattering it with a tractor etc.

If you go down the worm count road, it might be worth getting him totally cleaned out with a 5 day course and then starting the plan, cos then there wont be a build up of worms to fight against in little bits throughout the year.

Any thoughts on this guys?

Oh yeah, as scatty says theres worms that dont show up on it but the pack and information leaflets tell you everything you need to know and you can email them for advice.

[dannyboy]

Thanks everyone.

[fimacg]

DB - worming is biggest bisggest bug bear, I am never 100% sure of what to use when and the correct interval between them, the Vetinary association is now also advising against overworming and recommending egg counts.

My solution have someone else do it all for me... (sort of) I use Intelligent Worming, they work out the programme and send the wormers or egg count kits through to you through the post so they just arrive when you need them. So all you have to do is either worm or collect a poo sample. For 2 years mine have been returning 'no eggs seen' results to the egg counts so there are few worms in the pasture, they are now reducing the amount of wormers I need to give (apart from tape worm).

Brilliant Btilliant company to work with, and if you find the wormers cheaper they refund the difference, so its a bit of a win win situation for me.

www.intelligentworming.co.uk/?gclid=CPz6z_Wi6KECFSaElAodzjueJg

If you decide to go with them mention my name (Fiona MacGregor) and I will get £5 off my programme next year.