CANTER aims to provide guidance for horse owners.
A new group of voluntary representatives from the equine industry, has been formed to combat the increasing threat that anthelmintic wormer resistance poses to the health of UK horses.
'Controlling ANTiparasitic resistance in Equines Responsibly' (CANTER) has been organised by core steering group lead Dr Claire Stratford. The initiative aims to provide guidance for horse owners so that a consistent approach to parasite control can be employed across the equine community.
The group has prioritised four key objectives, including:
- Publishing best practice guidelines before the end of 2023
- Guidance on faecal egg counts
- Undertaking research to identify knowledge gaps and opportunities
- Developing a communication strategy to disseminate information gathered
Dr Stratford said: “I hope that CANTER will raise awareness and stimulate action across the equine community towards sustainable parasite control. Our aim is for CANTER to become the trusted source of information for prescribers and horse owners and to facilitate informed discussion about this important aspect of horse health.”
CANTER has also developed a profiling resource for horse owners, in the form of a parasitic risk table. It aims to highlight the wide range of factors that influence a horse’s parasitic risk, and then categorise it as low, medium or high. Horse owners can then discuss appropriate action with their prescriber.
The assessment tool uses the CANTER acronym to identify the risk factors:
- Clinical history
- Age profile
- Number of horses
- Test results
- Environment to give an overall parasite Risk
President of the British Equine Veterinary Association David Rendle said: “Anthelmintic resistance represents a huge threat to equine health and welfare.
“Risk factors for parasite associated disease should always be considered when developing a plan for diagnostic led parasite control and diagnostics and treatments should be considered within that framework having already considered the risks. We have to get away from ad hoc use of egg counts and treatments.”
Piggy March, Badminton and Burghley winner commented: “I am supporting the CANTER initiative which aims to reduce the threat worms pose to our horses. It is more important now than ever to ensure we are future proofing our equine population in the UK. Go online and complete the risk checker to find out how at risk your horse is of getting parasites and to ensure we can all do our bit to keep our horses healthy.”
More information about CANTER can be found on its website, where you can also download the parasite risk profile.
Image (C) CANTER
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
