Tracey’s on mission to weed out worms (From Worcester News)

Tracey’s on mission to weed out worms

9:59am Monday 22nd February 2010 in

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KNOWING when and how to worm your horse can be a complicated process. But help is on hand in the shape of worming expert Tracey Lawson, who is taking to the road to visit owners and livery yards in Worcestershire and Herefordshire to give advice.

Worming is a complicated topic and equestrians are battling against an ever changing threat as worms build up resistance to different drugs. So, it is vital to keep up-todate with the latest developments.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA), has launched a campaign warning owners about blanket usage and treating their horses unnecessarily because of increased resistance to today’s chemical wormers.

Tracey said: “Intelligent worming is a major development in equine parasite control. For the first time experts combine diagnostic techniques and chemical wormers to remove any guesswork from a worming programme.

With the ongoing guidelines from the BVA following concerns about resistance, it is important that wormers are used properly and when required.

“If you think your yard could benefit from a review of its current worming regimes to check if they are taking into account the most recent resistant findings, individual horse’s worm burdens and how the pastures are managed then I would be delighted to come along and give advice.”

Diane Gilby, technical director of Intelligent Worming, says the company fully endorses the BVA campaign. She said: “It backs up our own findings over the last eight years. We have been delivering tailor-made worming programmes to thousands of horses following exactly the principles recommended by the BVA. In the last 12 months we have been particularly concerned that the worm count results on horses on our programme have been showing resistance to some of the major drugs.”

Intelligent Worming discovers what levels are in a horse and pasture and by interpreting the faecal egg count gives an assessment about the safety of reducing chemicals to ensure a horse’s worming needs are managed effectively and safely. Low worm burdens do not cause problems in horses. It is when high levels are left untreated that they become particularly dangerous and the main cause of clinical disease in horses.

If you would like Tracey Lawson to visit your yard you can e-mail her on traceylawson@ epla.co.uk or telephone 01267 223322.