Worm counts

[haffyfan]

I have asked the company this question but just wondered if anyone else has experienced this/if it's normal or usual.

My latest counts have come back with Murph at < 50 epg (no eggs seen) which is all he has ever counted at

but harry is < 150 epg (some strongules seen) which is classed as a low count but i just find it a little odd that they have differing results this time considering they live together/same routine/feeding/management etc?

or as i said is it perfectly normal for them to differ slighty , does it maybe account for Murph having a full history with us as apposed to Harry's 6 years of neglect/running feral/unknown background.

[spotti]

The only thing I can think of is that perhaps Harry is a bit less resistant to the worm attacks than Murphy...maybe that's from his time before he met you, or maybe its just something he was born with.
I too find it interesting that they differ even though, as you say, their routines etc are the same, but I think as long as you treat them for the worms as and when they need it then I don't think it matters that they're different.

[fimacg]

Some horses seem to be carriers more than others... I think they say 90% of worms in 10% of horses.

Brave and Chompy always return a <20/ no eggs seen and Dexter is always 50- 100 but they are all wormed at the same time and on the same pasture.

[brigadier]

Haffy I have given up with the worm count system as I believe there is some belief in some horses being higher 'shedders' so will always require worming at max dose according to this system. When I had Basil at his last livery they were regularly worm counted and it cost me a small fortune as he needed the maximum worming plus the registration fee plus the worm count plus the wormer. Now Im sticking to a decent regime using a weight tape to ensure correct dosage and good pasture management. I am doing the same with the others. Its not that I dont agree with the worm count/ unnecessary worming ethos but Id rather be certain they are all sorted for the minimum amount of expenditure.

[haffyfan]

This is the reply i have recieved.

yes it is entirely normal and not at all unusual. In fact those counts are
not so very different as Harry's is only a low count.


Thanks guys and Brig i totally understand what you are saying, i can see full well how it becomes costly when some circumstances are out of your control: when your on a yard etc.
Fortunatly it seems to work for me due to just having the two and my routine which includes poo picking daily. My counts generally are no eggs seen, which is why i was slightly alarmed Harry returned what he did this time!

Fi, who do you use for yours?

[fimacg]

Intelligent Worming

[haffyfan]

Thanks - is that the one where you buy into the whole worming and counts program?

[fimacg]

yep, makes it so easy - it simply arrives in the post and you do what your told when... I love it

Worm count kit arrived today