The 2026 National Equine Forum, the biggest independent conference in the field, should have been eye opening for horse owners and other stakeholders. A number of key topics were in focus. Perhaps none of them were more important than the increase in antibiotic resistance. We want to have a closer look at that and wormer resistance here. The next decade will be pivotal in the battle to ensure the long term health of horses and people.

The risk

There is huge concern about the overuse of antibiotics, both in human and animal medicine. They have almost become routine to help with all kinds of illnesses. However, resistance to antibiotics continues to build in different bacteria. With no new types of antibiotic on the way, there is a real worry we could ultimately reach a point where infections and other problems are very hard to treat.

To put into perspective just how bad things could get, remember how things were before medicines became readily available in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, the “Golden Age of Antibiotics”. Without effective treatments, life expectancy for humans and animals was much shorter. Minor infections and injuries could be fatal. Surgery was riskier too, with a higher chance of infection.

The key thing is awareness of antibiotic resistance is growing. However, resistance is still increasing at an alarming rate, particularly among horses. We need to do more in terms of stewardship and prevention. It’s also vital to ensure best practice for things like wound care and vaccination. Antibiotics should be a last resort, not the first choice, especially for minor problems.

Wormers

There is a similar problem with wormer resistance. Just like antibiotics, overuse and over-reliance on products is causing resistance to increase. Again there are no new equine wormers in the pipeline. As a result, as parasites become resistant, it massively increases the risk.

Luckily, is a silver lining here, and positive signs that things could be better for antibiotics too. Crucially, there have been moves to stop blanket worming. Instead, risk based, targeted treatment is the norm now. Testing before using wormers can provide fantastic results. It will determine how high the worm burden is, and you can then decide if it is necessary to treat animals.

Additionally, more and more people now understand the importance of good husbandry and pasture management. Frequent poo picking is key to reducing parasite numbers and infection risk. Plus, be careful when deciding what type of pastures to put animals on. Higher risk horses shouldn’t be on a pasture that has been heavily grazed.

Need advice about wormer?

The most important thing to remember with resistance to antibiotics and wormers is to be careful and considerate. Working with vets and suppliers is a great way to improve your knowledge.

JS Hubbuck Ltd is happy to assist if you need details about wormer. We’re committed to helping clients choose the best products and treatments for animals. So, we make sure we have key details about the different types of wormers, the type of parasites they treat, and how to get good results. Working with us, you can improve animal health.

So, if you need any advice, contact us.