Over the past three months, the CANTER Core Steering Group has continued to build momentum across a wide range of projects designed to support sustainable parasite control and responsible anthelmintic use in horses.
A major milestone was reached in February with the completion and launch of the first annual review of the CANTER Guidelines. Chapters 1 to 10 were updated, with improved navigation and a consolidated number of PDFs now available on the website. At the same time, two new guideline chapters, covering quarantine protocols and youngstock, have progressed through extensive review and refinement ahead of publication. It is hoped they can be launched in late Spring 2026. A structured feedback process will be put in place to capture future updates and emerging evidence ahead of the next annual review in Autumn 2026.
The Communications Subgroup reported that the CANTER Guidelines update featured widely across industry media including Vet Times, Horse & Rider, Over the Counter and Equestrian Business. Activity around British Equine Worming Week, the National Equine Show and World Parasite Day has also helped raise awareness of evidence-based parasite control among both professionals and horse owners. Planning is underway for a longer-term horse owner communications strategy, with discussions focusing on educational resources to support behaviour change across the sector.
Recording has also begun on a new series of chapter podcasts to help promote the Guidelines and support prescribers in applying them confidently in practice. Alongside this, discussions continue around future training and education opportunities linked to guideline interpretation and responsible prescribing.
Within the Research Subgroup, work has continued to map current UK research activity and identify evidence gaps that could help guide future funding priorities. A new research priorities document has now been developed, while ongoing discussions continue around topics such as tapeworm evidence gaps, parasite surveillance and emerging resistance concerns.
The Steering Group also discussed wider industry developments, including changes affecting online anthelmintic supply, opportunities for improved prescriber education, and the growing role diagnostics can play in supporting informed treatment decisions. In parallel, CANTER’s relationship with RUMA Companion Animal & Equine has formally evolved, with CANTER now becoming an official RUMA CA&E subgroup as the initiative continues to expand its reach and influence across the equine sector.