Don't Treat for Encysted Redworm Too Early
19 November 2021
Wait for Winter!
⚠️ We have recently spoken to a number of people planning to treat their horses now with the winter dose for encysted redworm. This parasitic stage of the small redworm can have fatal consequences so it is important that we tackle it at the appropriate time.
Temperatures are still relatively high for the time of year, so as part of a targeted worm control programme, we are still considered to be in autumn and ideally need to wait for winter to set in before we tackle the possibility of encysted redworm, either with a blood test or by treating with an appropriate wormer.
Temperatures are still relatively high for the time of year, so as part of a targeted worm control programme, we are still considered to be in autumn and ideally need to wait for winter to set in before we tackle the possibility of encysted redworm, either with a blood test or by treating with an appropriate wormer.
We advise to wait until between December and February, for a period when daytime temperatures on the pasture fall below 6 degrees celcius, so small redworm activity would have slowed. Worming after this time reduces the risk of reinfection and therefore many horses from needing a second treatment at the back end of the winter. You may also have heard the advice to do your winter worming after the first frost - this will kill off any lingering bot flies and prevents any further bot eggs from being laid on the horse's coat where they may be ingested.
If you haven't already done so there is still time for an autumn worm count for redworm and roundworm, and EquiSal test for tapeworm. For the latest seasonal information go to our web page on AUTUMN PARASITE CONTROL☃️ To help you plan ahead for the winter months, with advice on blood testing, what wormer to use and how to test that your winter wormer has done the job intended, go to our web page on WINTER PARASITE CONTROL