We offer a multi-disciplinary referral service to veterinary surgeons across the UK. We accept emergency referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In order to book an appointment with us, you need to request a referral to us from your pet’s usual veterinary practice.
Telephone: 0117 394 0513
Location: Langford House, Langford, BS40 5DUOutstanding veterinary care for horses and ponies in the heart of Somerset
Stables Equine Practice are experienced in dealing with horses and ponies involved in all competitive disciplines - from breeding, to pleasure horses and companions.
Telephone: 01749 830 666 / emergency pager 01379 673 827
Location: Conkerfield, Pennybatch Lane, Wookey, Nr. Wells, BA5 1NHYour local vets for all your pets.
We aim to provide the best possible care for your animals to ensure they are kept fit and healthy throughout their lives. Our practice offers a caring, family feel to ensure that you and your pet receive a personal and friendly service.
Telephone: 01934 852 422
Location: Langford House, Langford, BS40 5DULangford Vets Farm Animal Practice have extensive experience in all aspects of the farming sector and smallholder work including dairy, beef, sheep, goats, camelids, pigs and poultry.
Telephone: 01934 852 650
Location: Langford House, Langford, BS40 5DUWe are a dynamic, customer focused business providing an extensive, high-quality range of laboratory tests across many species.
We also offer an internationally recognised cat genetic testing service to owners and breeders.
Telephone: 0117 394 0510
Location: Langford House, Langford, BS40 5DUAdvancing veterinary education and career excellence
Langford Vets are passionate about promoting career-long learning for veterinary professionals with advanced training and career development opportunities provided through our Langford Academy.
Telephone: Email: brm@langfordvets.co.uk
Location: Langford House, Langford, BS40 5DU
Effective worm control relies on a combination of targeted treatment following testing and making use of other methods of worm control.
In winter, the redworm larvae can burrow into the gut walls becoming encysted; only certain wormers are effective against this stage of the redworm. Traditionally it has been advised that all horses receive a winter wormer; however this is causing increased resistance to our most crucial worming drugs.
Up to date guidelines advise that routine treatment with winter wormers is not needed in low risk horses; a more individual approach to winter worming is required to ensure our worming drugs work well when needed. Therefore, in early winter after the 3rd worm egg count, the WormWise Programme includes a worm risk assessment.
This phone consultation with one of our vets or SQPs will be an individualised risk assessment to determine your horse’s risk and need for a winter wormer. Should your horse require a winter wormer, this will be discounted for those on the WormWise Programme.
A healthy adult horse can follow a pattern of testing and treating as required. A faecal sample is taken 3 x throughout the grazing season (Spring - March/April, Summer - June/July, and Autumn - September) to check for the presence of redworm / roundworm eggs. If results are low, there will be no need to worm.
If medium or high, the practice will advise you whether to worm and what wormer to use. The aim is not to remove every worm, but to maintain a low population of worms that are still susceptible (not resistant) to the wormers we have available.
A test for tapeworm (EquiSal Tapeworm Saliva Test) should be performed every 6-12 months and we recommend doing this in summer, or at least 6 months after any wormers containing praziquantel (Equest Pramox/ Equimax/ Eqvalan Duo). This is a simple test performed by the owner at home to sample the horse’s saliva.
Season |
Month |
Test |
|---|---|---|
Spring |
March/April |
1st WEC for redworm and ascarids |
Summer |
June/July |
2nd WEC & EquiSal Tapeworm Saliva Test |
Autumn |
September |
3rd WEC |
Winter |
November/December |
Worm risk assessment |
Drop off or post the sample to the Stables Equine Practice Clinic on the same day as collection.
When testing your horses faecal sample we will be looking for:
The most common intestinal parasite that is a threat to equines is redworm. Roundworm can also be found, but is most commonly a problem in foals or previously neglected horses.
Tapeworm eggs can be found in a faecal sample, but they will not always be seen, even if your horse has tapeworm. We recommend using the EquiSal Tapeworm Saliva Test
Wormer resistance is a problem on a global level and is more likely when wormers are used frequently.
Wormer resistance is a problem on a global level and is more likely when wormers are used frequently.
If you would like to join WormWise part way through the year please call us to discuss your individual needs.
Please note the WormWise Programme is not suitable for equines aged less than 18 months. Please contact the practice for advice on worming foals or yearlings instead.
Colic is a term used to describe abdominal pain in horses. While the majority of cases arise from the gastrointestinal tract, other body systems can rarely cause similar signs. Recognising the signs and contacting your vet early is critical to a favourable outcome.
With flowers in bloom and days lengthening, spring is a great time to pause and turn our attention to your horse’s pasture. As a time of great environmental and biological change, it brings both opportunity and risk in equal measure.
What is Strangles, how to prevent your horse from getting it, and how to look after your horse during an outbreak?
