Wildwood Health Worm Counts

The whole point of testing is to find out which horses actually need worming and which don't. Targeted worming helps reduce unnecessary treatments, slows resistance, and protects the effectiveness of our wormers for the future.
Test. Don't guess. 🐴💚

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Worried your soaked hay is going off in this heat?

It's one of the most common questions I'm being asked right now.

Many owners soak hay to help manage weight whilst maintaining a good forage intake, and/or to reduce sugar, fructan (WSC) & calorie intake for those affected by insulin dysregulation/EMS/laminitis, or PSSM1.

But when temperatures soar, longer soaking times can become difficult because the hay may start to go 'off' (spoil).

So how do you know if soaked hay has gone "off"?
❌ It develops an unpleasant, slightly sickly smell
❌ Horses generally become less keen to eat it

If that's happening, don't keep soaking for the sake of hitting a target number of hours.

Instead:
✅ Use warmer water to your advantage. Fill your soaking container and leave it in the sun before soaking. Hay loses more WSC in warm water
✅ Soak for as long as you can whilst keeping the hay fresh and palatable. In a heatwave, that might only be 1-2 hours
✅ Then adjust the rest of the diet to compensate for the extra calories (and potentially, WSC) that may remain in the hay. This could mean reducing grass intake or introducing straw to replace some hay (safely and appropriately).

One thing that many owners don't realise is that we don't only long-soak hay to reduce WSC (sugar and fructan).

In practice, longer soaking reduces calories too (possibly by an effect on fibre although it's not known exactly how) which is why many horses lose weight more effectively on long-soaked hay than short-soaked hay.

And please don't forget hygiene:
✔️ Fresh water for every soak
✔️ Hose out soaking vessels after each soak
✔️ Scrub them regularly, to avoid slime build up
✔️ Feed as soon as possible after draining
🚫 Never soak mouldy or poor-quality hay (this should not be used for feeding horses anyway)

If all the conflicting feeding advice online is leaving your head spinning, you're not alone.

Horse nutrition can seem far more complicated than it needs to be... comment 'confidence' if you want to find out how you can leave nutrition confusion behind!

Are you soaking hay during this heatwave? Have you adjusted the soaking time?

Let me know in the comments.
🐴🍏

Yard owners, managers & new liveries — does your yard have a worming programme in place?

A targeted Yard FEC Programme helps you make evidence-based decisions, reduce unnecessary worming and support horse health.
✅ Sample collection ✅Discounts for 10+ horses
✅Free FECRT
✅Free pinworm testing if needed ✅Tapeworm saliva tests
✅Bespoke advice

Perfect for new horses, multiple liveries or reviewing your current approach.
Pm us
Find out more at www.wildwoodwormcounts.co.uk

🐴 Protect. Control. Know.

Take the guesswork out of worming with our easy postal Horse Worm Egg Count Kits.

✅ Tracked 2nd Class delivery direct to your door
📮 FREE First Class return postage included
🔬 Fast, accurate laboratory testing
🐎 Support targeted worming and protect your horse's health

Advice you can trust from a Gold Standard Qualified SQP (Dip.AMA BSc ).

Only veterinary surgeons and SQPs are legally qualified to provide advice on worming medicines for your horse. Get evidence-based guidance to support targeted parasite control.

🛒 Order your Horse Worm Egg Count Kit here https://www.wildwoodwormcounts.co.uk/wormcount-services/horse-worm-count-equine-worm-count.html

🔥 Heatwave, burnt pasture... but what about worm burdens?

The recent hot, dry weather may have reduced parasite larvae on pasture—but the only way to know what's happening in your herd is to TEST, NOT GUESS.

At Wildwood Worm Counts, we believe in Knowledge. Control. Protection. We provide fast, accurate faecal egg counts to help you make informed worming decisions, avoid unnecessary treatments, and help reduce the risk of wormer resistance.

✔️ Fast, accurate results
✔️ Same-day reporting when samples arrive
✔️ Alpacas horses and other grazing animals.

🔬💩 Knowledge. Control. Protection.

Find out more at www.wildwoodwormcounts.co.uk

This episode has a focus on foals which is important for foals born this season
Contact to discuss a bespoke program.

Spring Parasite Control and Foal Focus | The parasite podcast In this Episode we explore Smarter Spring Parasite Control for the individual Horse owner and Yard Manager and owner.With a focus on Foals and Young stock for Horse breeders, learn why young stock are at higher risk from parasites. Including testing and treatment protocols,common mistakes and effect...

We were recently in the Over the Counter Magazine 👍⭐