THE most important parasites we need to address going into the autumn/winter are encysted small redworm larvae and, if necessary, tapeworm. It may come as a surprise to some to know encysted larvae are not killed by most wormers.

Tapeworms can cause digestive disturbances, loss of condition and colic if a horse develops a large burden of worms. Small redworm larvae can encyst within your horse’s gut wall throughout the year, especially in the autumn and winter. If the larvae are not treated, a sudden mass emergence of larvae can occur in the spring, damaging the gut, which can cause diarrhoea, colic and may be fatal.