Found Worms in Manure
Image Source: Diagram courtesy of Westgate Labs. Used to illustrate the different parasitic worms found in horse manure.
https://www.westgatelabs.co.uk
Found Worms in Your Horse’s Manure—Before Deworming? Here’s What It Could Mean
Spotting worms in manure without having recently dewormed can be surprising—but it’s not always a crisis. In fact, it could be your horse’s immune system doing its job. But it’s also a signal that it’s time to gather more information.
Why You Might Be Seeing Worms:
Natural Shedding – A healthy immune system can help expel parasites through manure. Some horses may eliminate a few visible worms without needing immediate deworming.
Heavy Parasite Load – If you’re seeing multiple or large worms, especially repeatedly, your horse may have a significant parasite burden that needs addressing.
Parasite Risk Factors – Age, health status, and pasture management all affect how well a horse handles parasites. Older or younger horses, for example, may have less effective immunity.
What to Do Next: Run a Faecal Egg Count (FEC)
Before you reach for the dewormer, here’s why an FEC is so important:
Identifies which parasites are present
Measures how many eggs per gram (EPG) your horse is shedding
Helps determine whether treatment is necessary and what product to use
Next Steps:
Collect a fresh manure sample (within 12 hours, stored cool but not frozen)
Send it to me for a faecal egg count
Discuss the results with myself or your vet to develop a targeted deworming plan
Why It Matters:
Blanket deworming without knowing what you’re targeting can lead to drug resistance—and not all dewormers work on all worms. A targeted plan keeps your horse healthy and helps preserve dewormer effectiveness long-term.
Faecal egg counts are a small step with big benefits for your horse’s health!
Mal’s Equine Worm Egg Counts – Just $15 per sample!
Based right here in Tasmania, Mal’s Equine Worm Egg Counts offers fast, reliable, and affordable faecal egg count (FEC) testing for your horses.
Only $15 per sample
Support a local Tassie business
Help keep your horses healthy and your worming program effective
Whether you’re managing a big herd or a single paddock mate, regular FEC testing is a smart and cost-effective way to monitor parasite loads and avoid unnecessary drenching.
Message now to arrange a FEC!
Have you ever found worms in manure unexpectedly? What did you do next? Let’s learn from each other—drop your experiences below!
Reference: This information is adapted from veterinary parasitology guidelines published by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), and educational materials from Westgate Labs and the Merck Veterinary Manual. These sources recommend faecal egg counts as a first-line tool for diagnosing and monitoring internal parasite infections in horses.
