Age and grazing pattern

It is important to consider the age of your horse and its grazing pattern when undertaking a risk assessment. Horses of different ages have varying susceptibility to worms; this can affect the horses that they graze with because susceptible horses can pass more worm eggs onto paddocks.

Select one option below

Regardless of its age, my horse does not graze at all

My horse is 5-20 years, and does not graze with other horses

My horse is 5-20 years, and grazes with other horses that are all 5 years or older

My horse is over 5 years and grazes with at least one horse under 5 years

My horse is over 20 years and grazes with other horses over 5 years

My horse is under 5 years and grazes

Regardless of its age, my horse grazes on paddocks where there has been a history of suspected worm-related disease diagnosed by a veterinary surgeon

Stocking density (number of acres per horse)

Knowledge of the number of horses grazing the same area is a key component of a risk analysis to help you understand the possible levels of exposure to worms on a particular paddock.

Select one option below (if your horse has no access to grazing, do not complete this section)

Stocking density in the field where my horse grazes is:

More than 2 acres per horse

1-2 acres per horse

Less than 1 acre per horse

Grazing with other animal species

Grazing horses with other animal species can reduce the risk of worm infections because most types of worms do not cross infect between horses and other animals such as cattle or sheep. Liver fluke worms can infect cattle, sheep and horses and should be considered in your overall risk assessment.

Select one option below (if your horse has no access to grazing, do not complete this section)

My horse always shares grazing with cattle, sheep or other animals

My horse sometimes shares grazing or is rotationally grazed with cattle, sheep or other animals

My horse never shares grazing with cattle, sheep or other animals

Dung removal (poo picking)

Dung removal should be performed regularly as it can substantially reduce the risk of worm infection for your horse. Dung should be removed at least once a week and placed well away from horse paddocks and water courses.

Select one option below (if your horse has no access to grazing, do not complete this section)

Dung is fully removed from my horse’s field at least twice a week

Dung is fully removed from my horse's field at least once per week

Dung is fully removed from my horse's field regularly but less than once a week

Dung is removed from my horse’s field regularly but never fully removed

Dung is not removed from my horse's field at all, or is removed infrequently or only at certain times of the year

Introduction of new horses

Moving horses between herds or establishments introduces the risk of bringing in new types of worms or drug-resistant worms. Grazing outside of the usual field can increase the risk of worm infection.

Select one option below (if your horse has no access to grazing, do not complete this section)

New horses are never introduced to my horse’s grazing area

Occasionally, new horses are introduced to my horse’s grazing area or my horse occasionally grazes outside of its usual field; for example, at shows or stay-away camps

New horses are introduced frequently to my horse's grazing area

Worm control quarantine procedures (either a test and treat, or treat approach)

It is important to ensure appropriate quarantine procedures are followed when new horses enter a herd.

Select one option below (if no new horses are ever introduced to the premises where your horse is kept, do not complete this section)

Worm control quarantine procedures are in place at the premises where my horse is kept

Worm control quarantine procedures are inconsistent at the premises where my horse is kept

There are no worm control quarantine procedures at the premises where my horse is kept

Faecal egg count (FEC) testing

Diagnostic testing is the cornerstone of all best practice worm control programmes. FEC testing enables identification of horses that shed higher levels of worm eggs and so need to be treated with wormers. Many horses will shed no/low levels of worm eggs and will not be advised for treatment. The saving of wormers based on the results of FEC tests can help protect the effectiveness of the wormers we use.

Select one option below

Based on the previous FEC test result:

Worming of my horse was not recommended and my horse grazes alone or is stabled all the time

Worming of my horse was not recommended, and most its field companions were also not recommended for worming based on their FEC test results

Worming of my horse was not recommended, but most of its field companions were recommended for treatment based on their FEC test results

Worming of my horse was not recommended and my horse's field companions were not FEC tested

Worming of my horse was recommended

FEC testing is never carried out for my horse and its field companions (where relevant)

Tapeworm saliva or blood testing

Diagnostic testing is the cornerstone of all best practice worm control programmes. Tapeworm testing enables horses with tapeworm burdens to be identified and treated with appropriate wormers. Using tapeworm testing, many horses will be identified as harbouring no/low burdens so will not be advised for treatment. This saving of wormers based on the results of tapeworm tests can help protect the effectiveness of the wormers we use.

Select one option below

Based on the previous tapeworm test result:

Tapeworm treatment of my horse was not recommended, and my horse grazes alone or is stabled all the time

Tapeworm treatment of my horse was not recommended, with all of my horse's field companions also not recommended for tapeworm treatment

Tapeworm treatment of my horse was not recommended, but some of my horse's field companions were recommended for tapeworm treatment

Tapeworm treatment of my horse was not recommended, but most of my horse's field companions were recommended for tapeworm treatment

Tapeworm treatment of my horse was not recommended and my horse's field companions were not tested

Tapeworm treatment of my horse was recommended

Tapeworm testing is never carried out for my horse and its field companions (where relevant)

Small redworm blood testing

Diagnostic testing is the cornerstone of all best practice worm control programmes. Small redworm testing can be used in horses at low risk of worm infection (for example, those that score ‘Low’ in this risk assessment). Blood testing these low risk horses can help confirm if they have a no/low small redworm burden that does not need specific treatment. This can help reduce worming treatments to protect the effectiveness of the wormers we use.

Select one option below (if you do not use this test, please do not complete this section)

Based on the previous Small Redworm Blood test result:

Worming of my horse was not recommended and my horse grazes alone or is stabled all the time

Worming of my horse was not recommended, and all of my horse's field companions were also not recommended for worming

Worming of my horse was not recommended, but some of my horse's field companions were recommended for worming

Worming of my horse was not recommended, but most of my horse's field companions were recommended for worming

Worming of my horse was not recommended and my horse's field companions were not tested

Worming of my horse was recommended

Risk Assessment Form

Note: this risk assessment is not suitable for assessing foals/horses under 1 year old

**All questions marked by * must be answered to complete the risk assessment**

Age and grazing pattern

Stocking density (number of acres per horse)

Grazing with other animal species

Dung removal (poo picking)

Introduction of new horses

Worm control quarantine procedures (either a test and treat, or treat approach)

Faecal egg count (FEC) testing

Tapeworm saliva or blood testing

Small redworm blood testing