Plan a year of targeted worming around faecal egg counts and the seasonal treatments vets commonly recommend, and check a dose against your horse's weight. Choose the month to start, add your horse's weight and the dates of the last tapeworm and encysted redworm treatments, and the planner sets out what to do each month.
Poo-pick at least twice a week, avoid over-grazing, rest or rotate paddocks, and test new arrivals before they share grazing.
Under-dosing is a cause of wormer resistance. Weigh or tape your horse and round up to the next 50 kg (or 100 lb) when setting the syringe. Many syringes only treat up to about 600–700 kg, so a big horse may need more than one. Always follow the product label and your vet.
The plan follows the grazing season. In the northern hemisphere egg counts run from about March to September, tapeworm checks fall in spring and autumn, and encysted redworm is considered in late autumn. In the southern hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) the plan moves by six months: egg counts from about September to March, tapeworm in September and March, and encysted redworm around May. Pick your country and the plan shifts with it. In warm or tropical areas worms can be active all year, so follow your local vet.
Faecal egg counts are commonly done every 8–12 weeks through the grazing season, roughly spring to autumn, treating only horses above your vet's threshold.
No. Tapeworm needs its own saliva or blood test, usually in spring and autumn, and encysted small redworm larvae don't show in egg counts, so ask your vet about a winter treatment or blood test.
This is a general guide, not veterinary advice. Agree a worming plan with your vet.
Related: horse weight calculator · grazing & paddock calculator · flu vaccination checker.
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