Equine parasites cause significant welfare harm through intestinal damage, colic and respiratory disease. Resistance to anthelmintics is a growing concern requiring sustainable management.
Equine cyathostomosis — mass emergence of encysted cyathostome larvae in late winter — causes severe larval cyathostominosis with diarrhoea, protein loss and death in affected horses. This welfare emergency is largely preventable through appropriate autumn treatment to reduce hypobiotic burden. Resistance-aware management using WEC monitoring and targeted treatment preserves anthelmintic efficacy while avoiding unnecessary treatment welfare costs.