We are now at Tapewormer time of year again.

With the loss of Equitape, the only wormer which used to treat for tapeworm only, we are losing in part the reason for worm counting for our horses.  For years it has been known that the efficacy of some of the worming ingredients is in decline as the various worm species are developing resistance.  Many of us have therefore strived to worm count and thereby treat our horses with chemicals far less often. 

With the loss of Equitape, we now have no choice to target tapeworms on their own.  My own horses are worm counted and for the last 10 years have shown clear counts for all worms and therefore have had no need to be wormed at all, other than for encysted redworm after the first frost and, as a precaution, tapewormed with Equitape every Spring and Autumn (before the advent of the EquiSal test). 

Where your horse has a clear count but say, gets a positive result for tapeworm, you must now worm for all species of worms.  Where is the logic in this in helping to reduce the worming residence in ALL species of worms?   The fact that you HAVE to use a multi species wormer, whether it is required or not, to treat just tapeworm, will just hasten the resistance of worms species in general.

The loss of Equiptape brings into question the reasoning behind this decision and I request that Equitape is placed back on the market so that horse owners have the right to make an informed decision on whether to treat for JUST tapeworm or, where it is needed, to use a wormer which covers many species.