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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 30th, 2018

Horsemen’s Laboratory,

John Byrd D.V.M.

Tel: 217-586-2004

Photos are available on request.

Media Contact:

Tel 607-434-4470

By Nikki Alvin-Smith

A targeted horse worm control program is an important part of your horse’s medical welfare. The internal equine parasites that any horse harbors can cause health issues for both its self and its pasture mates, and contaminated grazing lands can quickly become host to a high population of the various worms that affect the equine if your targeted worm control program is not on track.

Testing your horse for worm egg counts through F.E.C.T. (fecal egg count test) and then retesting after any recommended dewormer treatment for any presence of remaining parasites F.E.C.R.T. (fecal egg count reduction test), builds a valuable history for the horse owner and should be part of your horse’s medical record.

We know that you cannot tell which types of worms or what population of worms a horse hosts just by looking at the creature over the fence. We realize the 40 year-old protocol of a blind random deworming program every 6-8 weeks, is not a sustainable method for parasite treatment. The F.E.C.T. will indicate which horses are high shedders, medium or low shedders of parasites and the F.E.C.T.R. will tell us if we have a dewormer resistant worm population in our horse. Some horses remain high shedders all their lives with no apparent ill effect, but these horses will contaminate the pasture and subject other more vulnerable horses to infective parasites.

Thus some horses may require more careful monitoring than others, and a less or more frequent dewormer treatment than others. Horses are individuals and there is no good reason to subject all horses to the exact same treatment.

As a horse buyer, knowledge of your prospective equine purchase’s track record in parasite control and protection, will help you formulate and/or continue a successful targeted worm control program that will help protect the individual you are planning to purchase and enable you to successfully protect other horses in your care through herd management.

Of course when you receive your F.E.C.T. reports it is important to consult a veterinary professional as to the best course of treatment, especially if you discover a dewormer resistant worm population is present in your horse. I recommend working with a specialist in the equine parasitology field, who has sincere experience in this arena. Their specialist knowledge may save you unnecessary expense in dewormer products and will help you effectively manage all your horses worm control issues without undue worry over high shedders and help you create a proper parasite control program that will give you peace of mind. Consultation services are available with online test kit purchases through established and reputable laboratories.

As in all aspects of horse care, keeping accurate medical records and making those records accessible to a potential buyer of your horse is essential in maintaining his wellbeing. If you aren’t already, it’s time to get with the program!

PLEASE NOTE: This article is available for use in its entirety without editor excerpt, in any media format on condition that credit is given to Horsemen’s Laboratory., and author Nikki Alvin-Smith as a byline at the beginning of the article publication. Horsemen’s Laboratory URL address and Nikki Alvin-Smith URL is included. Horsemen’s Laboratory would appreciate notification of any publication.

This article is brought to you courtesy of Horsemen’s Laboratory Inc., Mahomet, IL. –

About Horsemen’s Laboratory: Established in 1993 by John Byrd D.V.M., an experienced lifelong horseman and a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. As an equine medicine practitioner in California for 13 years, Dr. Byrd served as ex-officio member of the board of directors of the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association where he also served as the organization’s official sales veterinarian. In addition, Dr. Byrd frequently officiated, as veterinarian for horse shows sponsored by the management of Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California. Dr. Byrd’s extensive experience with horses led him to observe how a horse’s health could impact performance leading to the founding of the specialist lab for equine fecal worm egg counts. Please visit to find out more about F.E.C.T. services available directly to the horse owner including; advice on equine fecal egg count testing; quick and easy purchase of test kits online; reporting and expert consultation services. Dr. Byrd enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge of equine parasitology with horse owners from all walks of life, and is available to provide lectures/symposiums for your club, organization or event. Please contact Dr. Byrd via his website for rates and further information.

About Nikki Alvin-Smith: International and national published freelance writer and photographer in such world renowned publications such as The Chronicle of the Horse, Horse and Hound, Dressage and CT, Warmbloods Today, The Horseman’s Yankee Pedlar, Reiter, The Equine Journal, Spur, Hoofprints, Horsin’ Around, Horses All, Field & Stream, Western Horse and Gun, Pony Quarterly, Horses All Canada, Catskill Horse to name a few. Ghostwriting, blog services, PR/Marketing copy either direct with manufacturer or for agencies, copy editing and editor services also available. Nikki also produces catalog copy, white papers, e-books, corporate brochures and advertising copy for international corporations and PR/Marketing for celebrities.

As a Brit who has called the America home for the past 34 years, Nikki brings a unique perspective to the equestrian world. Nikki is also an accomplished Grand Prix dressage trainer/competitor, competing at international Grand Prix level to scores over 72% and is a highly sought clinician offering clinics worldwide. She has been a horse breeder/importer of warmblood and Baroque breeds for more than 25 years. Together with her husband Paul who is also a Grand Prix trainer, they run a private dressage breeding operation and training yard in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of New York. Please visit to learn more.

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