6 Best Horse Worm Egg Count Tests For Organic Farms That Reduce Chemical Use
For organic farms, targeted parasite control is key. Discover the 6 best worm egg count tests that reduce chemical dewormer use through accurate monitoring.
You’ve rotated your pastures perfectly and your horses look great, but you still have that nagging feeling about parasites. The old way was to blast them with chemical dewormers on a fixed schedule, but that approach feels increasingly wasteful and irresponsible. For those of us running organic or sustainable farms, blindly using chemicals is the opposite of everything we do.
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Why FEC Testing is Key for Organic Horse Care
A Fecal Egg Count (FEC) test is your single best tool for managing internal parasites without overusing chemicals. It’s a simple diagnostic process where a manure sample is examined under a microscope to count the number of parasite eggs per gram (EPG). This number tells you exactly what you’re dealing with. Is there a problem, or are you about to spend money on a dewormer your horse doesn’t even need?
The old "deworm every eight weeks" calendar is broken. It led directly to the massive problem of chemical resistance we see in parasites today. By testing first, you shift from a blind, rotational schedule to a targeted deworming plan. You only treat the horses that actually need it, when they need it.
This approach is the cornerstone of sustainable parasite control. It not only aligns with organic principles by minimizing chemical inputs but also saves you significant money on dewormers. More importantly, it preserves the effectiveness of the dewormers we have left for when they are truly necessary.
Horsemen’s Lab: Top Mail-In Vet Service
When you want professional results without the cost of a full farm call, a mail-in service is the answer. Horsemen’s Lab has built a solid reputation for being reliable and thorough. You simply collect a fresh manure sample, pop it in their provided mailer, and send it off.
What you get back is more than just a number. They provide a clear report, often identifying the types of parasites present, which is crucial for choosing the right dewormer. This service is perfect for the farmer who wants an expert opinion to guide their decisions but prefers the convenience of handling the sample collection themselves.
Think of it as having a vet’s diagnostic power in your mailbox. It removes the guesswork and gives you the confidence to either deworm or, just as importantly, not deworm. For a small operation, that kind of certainty is invaluable.
Eggzamin Kit: Best for DIY At-Home Testing
If you’re the type who likes to understand the "why" behind the "what," the Eggzamin kit is for you. This isn’t a mail-away service; it’s a complete, self-contained kit that gives you the tools and instructions to perform your own fecal egg counts right at your kitchen table (or maybe the barn office). It comes with a basic microscope, slides, flotation solution, and a guide.
The tradeoff here is time for money and control. There’s a learning curve, and your first few counts will feel slow and uncertain. But once you get the hang of it, you gain the ability to test whenever you want, get immediate results, and save a tremendous amount of money over the long term, especially if you have several horses.
This path is for the dedicated hobby farmer who sees value in developing a new skill. It’s incredibly empowering to gather your own data and make management decisions based on what you see with your own eyes. It deepens your connection to your animals’ health management.
Para-site Test: Detailed Parasite Analysis
Sometimes, a basic egg count isn’t enough. If you’re dealing with a horse that isn’t thriving, has a history of high parasite loads, or you suspect something unusual is going on, you need a more detailed analysis. This is where a service like Para-site Test shines.
They go beyond a simple count of strongyle eggs. Their analysis can often identify a wider range of parasites, including tapeworms (which don’t always show up on standard floats) and other less common troublemakers. The detailed report gives you and your vet a much clearer picture of the entire parasite ecosystem your horse is dealing with.
Consider this the specialist’s opinion. While you might not need this level of detail for every routine check, it’s an essential tool for complex cases. It helps you avoid using the wrong chemical for a mystery problem, ensuring your treatment is as effective as possible.
SmartPak Equine FEC Test: Convenient & Simple
For the busy farmer, convenience is king. SmartPak has streamlined the FEC process into a nearly foolproof system. You order the kit, it arrives with everything you need, including a prepaid mailer. The instructions are crystal clear, and the whole process is designed to be quick and easy.
This is the "set it and forget it" option of fecal testing. You don’t need to find a lab, figure out shipping, or worry about missing supplies. It’s an all-in-one solution from a brand that most horse owners already know and trust.
The results are delivered electronically, are easy to understand, and provide the essential EPG number you need to make a decision. While it may not offer the in-depth analysis of a specialized lab or the long-term savings of a DIY kit, its simplicity and reliability make it a fantastic choice for anyone who just needs to get the job done right.
AmScope Microscope Kit for Advanced DIY Counts
Once you’ve mastered a basic DIY kit, you might be ready to build your own professional-grade setup. This isn’t about buying a pre-packaged kit; it’s about investing in a quality compound microscope from a brand like AmScope and sourcing your own supplies, like gridded McMaster slides.
This is the ultimate step in self-sufficiency. A good microscope is a multi-purpose farm tool, useful for more than just fecal tests. The initial investment is higher, but the per-test cost plummets to just pennies for the flotation solution and slides. You gain complete control and the ability to perform highly accurate counts.
This path isn’t for everyone. It requires research, a higher upfront cost, and a commitment to mastering the technique. But for the serious homesteader or small farmer who plans to manage a herd for years to come, building your own testing station is the most sustainable and cost-effective solution possible.
Equine Fecal Testing: Fast, Reliable Results
Having another excellent mail-in lab in your contacts list is always a smart move. Equine Fecal Testing is another service known for its straightforward process and quick turnaround times. In parasite management, speed can be important, especially if you’re trying to perform a follow-up test to check if a dewormer worked.
Their focus is on providing fast, accurate EPG counts that you can rely on. Like other mail-in services, it bridges the gap between a full vet visit and a DIY approach. You get a professional, unbiased result without having to learn the lab techniques yourself.
Don’t underestimate the value of having options. One lab might have a sale, or be geographically closer to you for faster shipping. The key is to find a service that fits your workflow and budget, and this is a consistently solid choice.
Using FEC Results for Targeted Deworming Plans
Getting the number is just the first step; knowing what to do with it is what matters. The results of your FEC test will classify your horses into categories, which is essential for pasture management. You’ll find that about 20% of the horses in any herd are "high shedders," responsible for contaminating 80% of the pasture.
Your deworming strategy should be based on these results. A common, vet-approved framework looks something like this:
- Low Shedder (under 200 EPG): No treatment needed. These horses have effective natural immunity.
- Moderate Shedder (200-500 EPG): Treatment is warranted. Work with your vet to choose a dewormer effective against the parasites in your region.
- High Shedder (over 500 EPG): Immediate treatment is crucial. These horses are contaminating your pastures and need a targeted deworming and management plan.
After deworming a horse with a moderate or high count, perform a second FEC test 10-14 days later. This is called a Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT). It confirms that the chemical actually worked. If the egg count didn’t drop by at least 90%, you have a resistance problem, and you just saved yourself from wasting more time and money on a product that is no longer effective on your farm.
Fecal egg count testing isn’t just a task; it’s a fundamental shift in how we manage our animals’ health. It moves you from a reactive, chemical-dependent model to a proactive, information-driven one. By investing a little time and effort into testing, you take back control, reduce your farm’s chemical footprint, and ensure your horses are healthier for it.
