The Genuine Article

After months of form filling and inspections we're now fully licensed to sell horse worming products at our Bethersden shop. 
The upside of all that regulation is that you can be confident that you are getting the genuine article.

To view our entry at the VMD (Veterinary Medical Directorate) click here Reg. No. 1091656
Emma Betts is our Approved SQP, Cert. No. 1809 under AMTRA (Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority). Click here for details.

Prices

Our prices are competitive and we offer the same degree of protection as your local vet. You can be sure that you are not getting counterfeit goods. You can pick them up in person, face to face. Our records, licences and qualifications are all available for inspection at the shop or by the links above.

                         Equest Gel: £12.50           Equest Pramox Gel: £17.70
                         Animec: £7.70                  Strongid P Granules: £8.95
                         Weight Tape: £4

We can post your order

Just give us a call on 01233 822 411 to pay by credit card over the phone and we'll pop your order in the post for a nominal £1 (total, not per item) regardless of how much you order. To make sure you're safely getting the correct product and to satisfy the terms of our licence we shall just need to ask a few simple questions. Then we'll do our best to dispatch your order that day.

General Horse Worming Information (See also Links below)

• Horses, ponies, foals and donkeys need regular worming to kill and remove many types of worms and parasites including roundworms, tapeworms and bots. (Insect fly larvae)

• The dose of wormer is worked out by weight. Guessing is very inaccurate so we advise you use a Weight Tape. Instructions are in the packet with the tape. Tapes are in stock at A-Z Animal Care.
• Overdosing can cause unwanted side effects and be harmful to your horse.
• Underdosing may mean that some worms survive and become resistant to future doses. This will mean current wormers will be useless in the future.
• Do not administer Equest to foals less than 4 months old.
• Do not administer Pramox to foals less than 6 months old.
• Clearing all dung and removing it from the field significantly reduces the number of worm eggs in the grass and is recommended for all horses. This is called field clearing or "poo picking". Three times a week is the minimum recommended.
• You can buy a kit to see if your horse has worms or needs worming. It is called a Worm Egg Count (WEC). It is now considered best practice to use a WEC when worming is due and only dose if worm eggs are found.
• WEC kits do not show up encysted worms (those burrowed into the intestine) OR tapeworm. Therefore it is essential to always do the autumn dose of Pramox to treat for both of these.

Horse worming; Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

HORSES HEALTH - Can I worm my horse if it's unwell?

• Use common sense here. If in doubt consult your vet.
• If the horse has been ill and receiving treatment from the vets I would advise to wait until fully recovered.
• It is fine to purchase the wormer but WAIT until the horse is better.
• Especially if the horse has had stomach or intestine problems such as “COLIC.” This is a painful spasm or twisting of the guts.
• It’s worth noting that some colic can be CAUSED by a high number of worms (usually tapeworm) so worming correctly may help prevent future problems.
• Wormers are fine to administer to horses on long-term painkillers for arthritis. Some owners may call this “BUTE”

PREGNANCY - Can I worm my horse if it is pregnant?

• It is good practice to worm a mare during pregnancy to avoid worms passing to the foal.
• But don’t use Pramox, as it’s not licensed.
• For summer and winter roundworm control use Equest, Animec or Strongid P
• For autumn and spring tapeworm control use Strongid P at a DOUBLE dose.

RECENTLY WORMED? OR - If I don't know the horse's history?

• WAIT for minimum 2 weeks before using another wormer.
• If someone has recently purchased a horse or is unsure of its worming history we advise you wait 2 weeks and start on the Equest or Pramox programme.
• Any new horse being added to a herd should ideally be wormed before it is introduced to existing horses and paddock to prevent contamination.
• After worming a new horse be extra careful about poo picking for at least a week.

AGE - Are there any age limits for worming?

• Minimum 4 months for Equest.
• Minimum 6 months for Pramox.
• Animec OK from 1 week old.
• Strongid P from 1 week old.

WEIGHT - How do I find my horse's weight for correct dose?

All horses should be assessed with a weight tape. Available from A-Z Animal Care.

OTHER QUESTIONS?

Give me a call at the shop: 01233 822 411. If I'm not there you can leave a number and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Or you're welcome to email me your questions. Emma.

Useful Links

Free publications, on all manner of Horse Care, Management and Health issues including Worm Control, to download from The British Horse Society. Click here for direct link.

Postal Worm Egg Counts. Specialist service from Westgate Labs. Click here for direct link

The Importance of Worming: Click here for direct link and lots of related information.

PS: How NOT to worm your horse! YouTube clip might make you smile! Click here