Westgate Labs

04/04/2026

🔍 Evidence leads to smarter parasite control. Testing shows which horses actually need treatment and which don’t.

🔬 Worm egg counts for small redworm and ascarids every 8 to 12 weeks
💦 EquiSal saliva test every 6 months to identify tapeworm

💩🐛 Every horse needs a worm egg count this spring. For more seasonal advice and to shop test kits 👉 bit.ly/SpringParasiteControl

03/04/2026

🐰🍫 Wishing you all a wonderful Easter weekend ahead, with eggs of the chocolatey kind!

⚠️ Please don’t send worm egg count samples until after the long weekend as there are no post deliveries which increases the risk of arriving too late for us to test. We'll be back in the lab on Tuesday 7th April 👉 bit.ly/Spring-Bank-Hols-2026

🐣 Many thanks from the Westgate team! 🙌

01/04/2026

🐴🌦 With longer days and as temperatures rise, parasite activity on pasture increases, which makes spring testing essential.

🔬 A worm egg count gives you the knowledge to treat only when necessary and regular testing is especially important for higher risk horses, including youngsters, veterans and those with compromised immunity.

🛒 Order your test kits today and be ready to test at the right time to keep your horse's health on track 👉 bit.ly/SpringParasiteControl

🐣📦 Easter reminder! Allow extra time for orders to arrive and please delay sending samples to the lab until after the long weekend to avoid loss or delay.

30/03/2026

📮🤚 Please now delay sending worm egg counts to us until next week. This will help ensure they don't get held up in the system over the long bank holiday weekend and arrive too old to test.

The lab will be closed over Easter, from Good Friday (3rd April) to Easter Monday (6th April). For more info and advice 👉 bit.ly/Spring-Bank-Hols-2026

25/03/2026

🛠 A small spring hiccup, (oh Pamela) and what it means for your order!

🌱 Spring fever has hit, and we’re experiencing a high number of orders, thank you! At the same time, a technical issue with our post franking machine, Pamela, has created a bit of a perfect storm. We’re currently hand stamping orders and sending them out as quickly as possible, but there may be a short delay of up to 48 hours while we clear a backlog.

🙏 We’re very sorry if your order has been affected, and we really appreciate your patience. Please be assured we’re doing everything we can to get your order to you as quickly as possible.

🙌 With thanks, Pamela and the Westgate team!

24/03/2026

🐴🐛 Smarter parasite control isn’t about a single action, it’s a process.

➡️ Swipe through to discover more about risk so you can create a more effective and sustainable parasite control plan to support your horse's health and help reduce reliance on worming chemicals.

🧩 Testing alone is not enough. For more info and free risk assessment tools 👉 bit.ly/ParasiteRiskProfile

⭐ Our friendly, expert team help customers risk assess, test and sense check management, so every horse has a parasite control programme set up for success.

23/03/2026

🌱🐣 Easter means a long weekend ahead to enjoy and a couple days without post deliveries!

📮 Postal services are already slower than usual, with first class taking 4 days or more. Sending samples this week is your last chance to reduce the risk of loss or delay! It really helps when you fill in the date the sample was collected on the back of the envelope, before you pop it in the post box. This lets us know if a worm egg count is over six days old and too old to test.

For more advice on how to avoid postal delays to keep your horse’s health on track 👉 bit.ly/Spring-Bank-Hols-2026

20/03/2026

⚠️🙏 A friendly reminder to please post your worm egg counts by Monday 30th March. This will help ensure we receive them before the long Easter weekend and while they are still viable to test.

💦 EquiSal saliva samples can be sent as they're safe for up to 3 weeks in their preservative solution.

🐰🐣 For more info and advice 👉 bit.ly/Spring-Bank-Hols-2026

20/03/2026

🌍🐛 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆! This campaign seeks to recognise that 'effective parasite prevention is not a one-size-fits-all. Optimal prevention strategies should be developed in consultation with a prescriber, taking into account an animal's individual needs, local risks, and living conditions.'

As a Core Steering Group Member of CANTER we're pleased to support the global Prevention Pledge to 'free animals from the discomfort, serious illness, and in some cases life-threatening disease that worms, and other parasites can cause'.

UK horse owners are recommended to use CANTER's resources, starting with this easy four step process to address parasite control in equines;

1. Risk assess horses for parasite infection
2. Create a test-based plan
3. Use management to reduce parasites without chemicals
4. Seek advice from your prescriber

Parasite control is about informed decisions, not routine chemicals.

🐴 Read a short summary of the CANTER Guidelines for Sustainable Equine Parasite Control here 👉 bit.ly/CANTER-Guidelines-Summary

🐛 Find out more about World Parasite Awareness Day 👉https://www.parasiteawarenessday.com

16/03/2026

🐴🐛 Parasite control made simple with three simple steps.

🔎 Risk assess each horse
🔬 Test regularly throughout the grazing season
🌱 Manage exposure and reinfection through good management

Smart parasite control is about understanding the bigger picture.

🔬 Spring into a fresh perspective and take the first steps to smarter parasite control 👉 bit.ly/SpringParasiteControl

13/03/2026

🦠 💊 Stark warnings for horse owners on antibiotic and antiparasitic resistance discussed at the NaNational Equine ForumA timely reminder to keep up testing and poo pick as much as possible to buy ourselves time and protect our horse’s health.

Action must be taken as we ‘stand on a precipice’ in horse and human health. Read more below