Did Your Horse Really Get the Full Dose?

💡Worming Tip: Did Your Horse Really Get the Full Dose?

 I recently ran a faecal egg count (FEC) on a horse just 2 weeks after treatment, and guess what? I still found a worm egg. That was a surprise—until the owner mentioned something important:

 💬 “She might not have swallowed the whole dose. I think she spat some out.”

 💥 Bingo! This is something I see quite a bit—and it’s more common than you’d think.

 Here’s the thing: even a small amount of wormer missed can mean the horse doesn’t get an effective dose. That can lead to two big problems:

1. Worms survive (as we saw in this case), and

2. Resistance risk increases over time.

So here are some tips I often share to help make sure the full dose goes down the hatch:

🐴💊 How to Make Sure Your Horse Gets the Whole Wormer Dose:

🪄 1. The nose-lift trick:
After giving the wormer, gently lift your horse’s head up as high as you can. This helps the paste slide to the back of the throat. I’ve had to start wearing a helmet while doing this—lesson learned the hard way! 😅

📈 2. Account for spitters:
If your horse is a known spitter, consider giving a little extra to make up for what might end up on the ground or stuck to their face (chat with your vet if unsure about how much extra).

🪥 3. De-sensitise to the tube:
In the days leading up to worming, try offering a clean syringe with something tasty like molasses or apple sauce. This helps make the real thing less of a drama.

🧼 4. Clean the mouth first:
Wipe away any feed or slobber around the lips so the paste doesn’t just get mixed with food and spit back out.

🤐 5. Hold and encourage swallowing:
After dosing, hold the horse’s mouth closed briefly, or gently stroke the throat to trigger a swallow. A small treat after they've swallowed can also help create a positive association.

⏰ 6. Pick your moment:
Try worming when your horse is calm and relaxed—not during high-energy times or right before feeding.

👥 7. Don’t go it alone:
Have a helper if needed—especially with wiggly or head-tossing horses. It’s safer and more effective.

🔢 8. Weigh, don’t guess:
Always base your dose on an accurate weight. Underdosing can start with the dial on the syringe. A weight tape is better than a guess, and a weighbridge is even better.

🎓 9. Consider a worming bit:
There’s a handy tool called a worming bit that some owners swear by. It’s like a bridle that delivers the paste more safely and cleanly. Mine cost under $40 and I use it for demos—but people who’ve used it love it.

🍽 10. Try pellets (for some cases):
There are worming pellets available that are easier for tricky horses—but they don’t always cover the same range as a product like Equest Plus.

✅ The good news? In the case I mentioned, it wasn’t a resistance issue—just an underdose. And that’s something we can absolutely fix!

 🔬 This is why FECs are such a useful tool. They help us spot problems early, tailor the plan, and avoid blanket dosing. Because smart worming isn’t just about what you use—but how you use it.

Reference: Information adapted from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) parasite control guidelines, as well as veterinary handling strategies for safe and effective dewormer administration.