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Worm risk-assessment tool launched for horse owners
The assessment looks at topics such as dung removal.
The risk calculator is available for free online.

A free online tool has been launched to help horse owners assess the risk that their horse might have worms.

The risk calculator, ‘What’s Your Worm Risk’, is designed to help horse owners and wormer prescribers to make decisions on parasite control.

With wormer resistance becoming a significant issue due to overuse, guidelines now recommend only using wormers in a targeted way. Risk assessments can help with pasture management to reduce the likelihood of worm infection and support the use of monitoring through faecal worm egg counts and other tests.

The assessment tool, created by Austin Davis Biologics, looks at topics including stocking density, grazing with other animal species, dung removal, and diagnostic testing.

Jacqui Matthews, director of veterinary science at Austin Davis Biologics, said: “‘What’s Your Worm Risk’ calculates the likely level of risk based on widely accepted principles regarding equine worm infections and, depending on horse-specific input, will classify the risk of worm infection of an individual horse as low, moderate or high.”

Corrine Austin, managing director of Austin Davis Biologics, added, “‘What’s Your Worm Risk’ is a much-needed tool to support owners in engaging with their prescribers when considering wormer use and how to apply best practice parasite control. 

“A component of the assessment’s output is dedicated to highlighting non-chemical and test-led approaches that will support sustainable parasite control as recommended in official guidelines.”

The risk calculator can be accessed here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.