World Horse Welfare has highlighted the plightoffourponies to highlightimportanceofgettingde-wormingright for those involved in the care of a horse.Three cob fillies and a ten-year-old mare were rescued by the charity after being found critically underweight due to significant worm burdens. The group are now receiving urgent care at World Horse Welfares Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, in Norfolk, as the team work closely with vets to get on top of theponies parasite infestations.The charity is highlighting theimportanceof testing and treating appropriately for worms and warning of the danger of encysted redworm.As soon as I arrived at the site, I could see that some of the ponies were extremely unwell, said World Horse Welfare Field Officer Rebecca Carter. Eleven others were all in normal body condition, but seven who clearly had worm burdens were really underweight despite living in the same conditions. One tiny filly, named Tinker Bell, had multiple different kinds of worms just pouring out of her. She was six months old and so underweight that I could lift her alone something that should never be possible.Tinker Bell was severely emaciated under her thick coat. Credit: World Horse WelfareWith several of the group in need of urgent veterinary care, Rebecca contacted the RSPCA, police and a vet, who authorised the ponies being taken to safety to start getting treatment. No owner responded to the abandonment notice, so the ponies were transferred into the ownership of the charities.Tragically, the three colts who were removed were so sick that, despite the vets best efforts, they had to be put to sleep on welfare grounds, said Rebecca. The three fillies and the mare, though very unwell, have made it through the first couple of weeks and were strong enough to travel to our Hall Farm, in Norfolk.Unfortunately, in my job as a Field Officer I see cases like this all too often. Faecal egg counts matter when it comes to managing parasitic infections, but they dont detect all of the parasites that can be most damaging, particularly in vulnerable horses.Tinker Bell needed urgent veterinary treatment. Credit: World Horse WelfareMalcolm Morley, the charitys Director of UK and a qualified vet explained why these worms can be so problematic.Encysted redworm, where small redworm larvae hibernate in the gut wall, wont show up on faecal egg counts, which can give a false sense of reassurance, he said. Thats why owners should seek advice from their vet or a specialist laboratory such as Westgate Labs, which employs suitably qualified staff to help interpret results and guide responsible worming.The four ponies were all incredibly weak on arrival at Hall Farm and two needed plasma transfusions. Once were confident that theyre starting to feel a bit stronger and their blood results show theyre starting to recover, then they can start to have a little bit more time out in the field, said Hall Farm Centre Manager Sue Hodgkins. For Tinker Bell to have come this far, with the blood test results shes had and the fact that shes still with us and fighting, gives me a little more confidence. Were keeping everything crossed that she keeps that fighting spirit and makes a full recovery.Mary Darling and Wendy shortly after arrival at Hall Farm. Credit: World Horse WelfareAll of World Horse Welfares Field Officers carry faecal egg count kits, provided by Westgate Labs, with them. Several are also Suitably Qualified Persons, meaning that they have the knowledge and qualifications to offer advice on worm control and de-worming products, which are vital tools in many of the cases the charity deals with.Guidance on worm control, including pasture management, testing, and appropriate de-worming products, is available on World Horse Welfares advice pages. Lead image of Tinker Bell and Tiger Lily on arrival at World Horse Welfare Hall Farm. Credit: World Horse WelfareRelated contentWhich parasite and why: essential seven-step worming planEssential horse worming schedule and management tips from a vetWhich worms are a threat to your horse in winter?9 essential things to get right when youre taking care of a horseThe post Worms were pouring out of her: Charity highlights ponies plight to raise awareness appeared first on Your Horse.