Small redworms (cyathostomins) are a major parasite that can affect horses of all ages.Horses with a severe infection of these worms can suffer greatly, with symptoms including weight loss, colic, diarrhoea and death.
Many horse owners control small redworms (as well as other parasites) by giving their horse regular doses of worming drugs but overuse of these is leading to the development of drug-resistant worms.
Only three main types of drugs are available to treat small redworms at present and no new drugs are in development. Researchers have found evidence of small redworm resistance to each of these drug types individually, and evidence has already been found of multi-drug resistant small redworms in Brazil.
If we don't take action now, multi-drug resistance could happen in the UK within the next ten or twenty years. This would have a devastating effect on horses and their owners, with horses infected with multi-drug resistant worms potentially suffering the horrific effects of severe infestation.
Multi-drug resistance has already occurred in sheep roundworms throughout the world, forcing farmers to stop sheep farming.
The Horse Trust is tackling the problem of wormer drug resistance in two principal ways:
- via an education campaign to stop people from over-worming their horse
- by funding research into the mechanisms of small redworm drug resistance and how to prevent it from happening1.
If multi-drug resistance happens with small redworms, there is no way to turn back the clock - once the worms develop resistance, they will remain resistant and the only solution will be to develop new drugs.
Please donate to this campaign to allow us to continue funding vital research into this area and to educate horse owners about the risks.
The Horse Trust has been funding research into small redworms for over a decade. Research has led to a better understanding of the biology of the different species of small redworms and how changes in the worms can lead to resistance. Current research is expected to lead to a new test for small redworm resistance, to enable vets to address the issue before it gets out of hand.
For more information, or to donate money to the campaign, please visit www.horsetrust.org.uk/small-redworm-campaign/
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