“I think it is fascinating to know just how many and what type of worm each horse has!
And to be able to treat each horse properly is amazing.”  – Jill W., Horseplay Farms

Proactively detect and manage your horse's parasite burden.

Horses ingest and shed parasites at different rates, depending on their environment and care. Whether your horse is mostly confined, lightly grazed, or exposed to full-time pasture access, understanding your horse's level of parasite burden is critical in managing their overall healthcare.

Zero Egg Count Equine Parasite Test Kits provide vital information about your horse's worm burden and the effectiveness of your deworming program. Each Zero Egg Count mail-in fecal egg count test kit includes everything you need to collect and safely ship a horse's fecal sample to our lab for a thorough and accurate analysis of the parasites your horse is shedding into their environment.

Identifies the type and number of parasites infecting your horse. 

Zero Egg Count's fecal egg count test detects and reports on the type and number of parasites infecting your horse. Your horse’s parasite test results are reported in eggs per gram (EPG). Eggs per gram is a standard measure for fecal egg counts so you can compare your current findings to previous testing results. The higher your horse’s EPG count, the higher the number of parasites your horse is shedding into their environment. The parasite EPG calculation is often referred to as a horse’s parasite load or worm burden.

Knowing your horse’s shedding classification helps you determine an appropriate deworming treatment program. A low shedding horse will typically need less deworming treatments than a medium or high shedder.

Your Time is Valuable

You want to schedule your horse's fecal testing when it works for you!

Some horse owners and barn managers rely on their veterinarians to acquire their horse's fecal samples and coordinate lab testing. However, this means you are limited to taking a fecal when the vet is there, which may not be the right time of year or what you had planned to do that day.

Maybe you live in an area where it is difficult for the vet to come to see you, or it's time-consuming to go by the vet's office to drop off a sample, or maybe you just want to take control of your horse's healthcare. Zero Egg Count Test kits allow you the freedom to test on your schedule while saving time and money.

How much does your kit cost?

Our kits are inexpensive and include everything you need to collect and safely ship a horse's manure sample to our laboratory. Best of all is that all laboratory and shipping charges are included.

What’s the difference between your fecal egg count test and a veterinarian's fecal egg count test?

Most veterinarians and reference laboratories use the McMaster's Egg Counting Technique to determine the number of parasite eggs in a sample. However, the McMaster's Technique's limit of parasite egg detection is 25 EPG or greater. The current American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Parasite Control Guidelines recommends using an egg counting technique with a limit for detection of less than 25 EPG for Fecal Egg Count Reduction Testing. However, our testing method (the Modified Wisconsin Sugar Flotation Technique) has a detection limit of 1 egg per gram (EPG).

How do I know which parasites to test for?

We test for the most common parasites found in horses. Primarily redworms (Small and Large Strongyles) and roundworms (Ascarids). However, we will also report on threadworms (Strongyloides sp.), pinworms (Oxyuris sp.), tapeworms (Anaplocephia sp.) and coccidia eggs if present in the sample. NOTE: A horse's parasite EPG test results only indicate the presence of adult parasites within a particular horse.

How do I collect my horse's manure sample?

You will need to collect a manure sample for each horse that you have purchased a kit for. FRESH IS BEST, so collecting and shipping the sample on the same day works great, however, if that is not possible, then remember to refrigerate (not freeze) the sample and ship it as soon as possible. A sample collection bag and straight-forward step-by-step instructions are included with every kit.

Where do I send my horse's sample?

All equine fecal samples should be sent to our laboratory. A self-addressed prepaid shipping envelope is included with every kit. Remember to include your contact information so we will know where and how to send the test results.

When do I get my test results back?

We email your test results back to you within 48 hours of your sample arriving at our laboratory. However, if you prefer, we can send your results via US mail. All you need to do is indicate which method you prefer on our Sample Collection and Treatment Form included with every kit.  

What's included in my test results?

Your test results will include what test was performed, what type, and how many parasite/worm eggs were detected, identify your horse's shedder category and next steps.