- Research Article
- 10.1111/eve.14185
Project <scp>WORMS</scp> (Working to Overcome Resistance and Make for a Sustainable Future): Stud owner and manager survey. Part 2. Routine testing for parasites, anthelmintic use and anthelmintic resistance
- Jun 25, 2025
- Equine Veterinary Education
- J Crabtree + 8 more +8
SummaryBackgroundYoungstock are particularly susceptible to parasitic disease; anthelmintic resistance is an increasing problem.ObjectivesTo investigate the current approaches to testing for parasites and anthelmintic use in foals and adult horses on UK studs.Study DesignCross‐sectional study; online survey.MethodsSurveyMonkey questionnaires (multiple choice, Likert scale and free text questions) distributed via practices, press, social media and snowball sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics performed in Microsoft Excel and STATA. Statistical differences assessed with Fisher's exact test or Mann–Whitney U test.ResultsThere were 56 usable responses. Experience, faecal egg counts and veterinary advice were considered to be the most important factors in determining anthelmintic choice. The commonest product choices overall were a moxidectin–praziquantel combination, fenbendazole and pyrantel. Timing of anthelmintic treatment for cyathostomins in broodmares was based on faecal egg counts in 58.9%; treatment for tapeworms was based on ELISA results in 10.7%. With respect to foals, 61.8% received anthelmintic treatments regardless of test results; the commonest anthelmintic products used in foals were fenbendazole (56.6%) and pyrantel (47.9%). Anthelmintic resistance on the property was reported by 27.8% of respondents, but there was no association with reported illness.Main LimitationsSmall sample size. Potential selection bias and response bias.ConclusionsOver a quarter of stud owners believed that anthelmintic resistance occurred on their premises. The commonest used anthelmintic product on stud farms was moxidectin–praziquantel combination. The commonest anthelmintic used in foals was fenbendazole. Testing for tapeworms was uncommonly undertaken. Results identify areas where testing for parasites and anthelmintic use on stud farms could be improved.
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