What makes CANTER unique? CANTER is the first group of its kind to bring together so many representatives from different sectors to tackle the issue of wormer resistance in horses in the UK. Representatives of CANTER voice what the creation of the group means to them.
CANTER Supporters
Wormer resistance affects us all and we are very grateful to the following riders for supporting the CANTER campaign.
Piggy March
INTERNATIONAL EVENT RIDER
I am supporting the CANTER initiative which aims to reduce the threat worms pose to our horses. It is more important now than ever to ensure we are future proofing our equine population in the UK.
Go online and complete the risk checker to find out how at risk your horse is of getting parasites and to ensure we can all do our bit to keep our horses healthy.
Miri Hackett
HORSE TRAINER & COACH
As someone who has grown up with a science based family, my father a entomologist (bug scientist) and my mother a parasitologist (scientist of parasites) I have always known that parasite control in a conservative way is vital to the ecosystems that our horses live in.
The dung beetles, the grass, and the awareness that we want to avoid wormer resistance is at the forefront of my worming program. We are so grateful for the support from Westgate and their advice and worm counting service as this allows us to avoid blanket worming and helps us to minimize the amount of chemical wormers we need to use. I am so proud to be a part of the CANTER initiative.
Anna Bridges
INTERNATIONAL ENDURANCE RIDER
Testing before treating our horses for worms is more important than ever. The CANTER initiative is something that we need to be taking seriously if we want to safeguard the future of our beloved horses and associated industries.
It takes very little time to risk profile your horse, to do the necessary testing and then only treat according to the results. There is lots of advice out there now to support you and just taking that little bit of time really will have a big, long term impact.
Change the way you do things now, before we really do have to find out what will happen when our wormers don’t work anymore.
CANTER Representatives
From the broad sectors represented within the group
Julia Shrubb
Veterinary
BRITISH EQUINE VETERINARY ASSOCIATION
It is an honour to take on the role of Chairman for CANTER at such a pivotal time. Thanks to the collaborative spirit and shared commitment of all involved, CANTER has built strong momentum, particularly with the publication of the CANTER Guidelines for sustainable equine parasite control. With the continued support of industry, we have a unique opportunity to stabilise and strengthen all that has been achieved so far, ensuring responsible and effective parasite management remains at the forefront.
Together, we remain dedicated to tackling the critical challenge of anthelmintic resistance, protecting the health and welfare of horses for the future. I am committed to driving this mission forward, ensuring that CANTER continues to lead the way in shaping a sustainable future for equine parasite control.
Claire Williams
Prescribers
BRITISH EQUESTRIAN TRADE ASSOCIATION
Anthelmintic resistance is the biggest threat to horse health but one of the few that we have the ability to counter through our own actions. This will only be achieved through working as one to change influence across the sector and the entire supply chain from end users to prescribers.
We need to raise awareness so that owners ask not what, but if treatment is required and that worm egg counts become the first line of defence. It’s my hope that CANTER will light the way for the equestrian community to take collective responsibility for this issue, supported by consistent messaging from our prescribers so that we never have to face the consequences of multi-resistant parasite strains.
Professor Jacqui Matthews
Experts
AUSTIN DAVIS BIOLOGICS
As a veterinary parasitologist that has worked on equine worms for nearly 30 years, I am delighted to be involved in the CANTER initiative.
It is exciting that all relevant stakeholders are working closely together to support parasite control practices that are evidence based and are accessible to horse owners.
The expertise and passion that the various participants bring will ensure that this initiative will achieve its goal of bringing more sustainable practices to bear for improved equine health.
Dr Claire Stratford
Regulatory
VETERINARY MEDICINES DIRECTORATE
It’s exciting to be working with experts and key opinion leaders to make progress on this serious issue. I hope that CANTER will raise awareness and stimulate action across the equine community towards sustainable parasite control.
Our aim is for CANTER to become the trusted source of information for prescribers and horse owners and to facilitate informed discussion about this important aspect of horse health.
Claire Shand
Diagnostics
WESTGATE LABS
As pioneers of the postal worm egg count service for horse owners, we’ve been promoting sustainable parasite control at Westgate Labs for the last 25 years. CANTER is the most significant step to tackle wormer resistance we’ve seen in that time and we are thrilled to bring our expertise and enthusiasm to the table to be part of such an exciting initiative.
There has historically been a lot of mixed messaging in this area so to have all these specialists around the table to come together under the CANTER banner for the good of the horse is a giant step forward.
The only way we will tackle this serious issue and slow the development of wormer resistance is if we can support the whole equestrian community to adopt the simple principles of test-based parasite control and management techniques to reduce our reliance on chemicals. The commitment and knowledge sharing we have witnessed so far as part of the group is wholly encouraging and, we hope, will be part of a tipping point for change.
Gemma Stanford
Horse Owners
THE BRITISH HORSE SOCIETY
The British Horse Society are thrilled to be involved with the pan-industry group CANTER, to take a coordinated step forward in combatting the growing threat of wormer resistance.
The beauty of CANTER is that we wholeheartedly represent the industry, and it is our hope that by working together and sharing the same important messages, we will further develop the confidence of horse owners/carers and yard managers in the effective use of testing and monitoring tools.
We recognise the importance of all horse owners/carers and yard managers taking a testing led approach to parasite control, that minimises potential harm both to horses and to the environment. Our aim is to support them through the development of sustainable guidelines that prioritise the welfare of their horses and eliminates any unnecessary treatment.
Dawn Howard
Pharmaceutical
NATIONAL OFFICE OF ANIMAL HEALTH
Parasites present a real danger to the health and welfare of our equine population. Yet the threat of resistance to poses a challenge to our ability to protect horses from the suffering parasites can cause.
NOAH believes passionately in the power of collaboration, working together to improve animal health and welfare through the responsible use of veterinary medicines. Groups such as the RUMA Alliance (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture), SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) and COWS (Control of Worms Sustainably) have paved the way in how, through responsible use, we can help ensure veterinary medicines remain effective for years to come.
CANTER is a fantastic new initiative providing a single resource on antiparasitic use for everyone who owns or cares for horses and other equines. We represent the animal health industry, and we are proud to be involved.
Rachel Andrews
Welfare
WORLD HORSE WELFARE
World Horse Welfare are excited to be involved in the Canter initiative, which brings together experts and representatives from across the Equine sector to work collaboratively with the shared aim of improving the health and welfare of equines through responsible and targeted use of veterinary medicines. As a welfare organisation we regularly see the huge damage inappropriate or non-targeted deworming can cause, and the very real threat of increased wormer resistance. By working together and providing clear, research led messaging regarding effective parasite control, we can help to ensure the products we use remain effective for our horses going forward into the future.
For horse owners, and everyone working within the equine industry involved with the care of horses, taking a test led, and effective management approach to parasite control is absolutely crucial if we are to tackle the issue of wormer resistance. We are extremely proud as a charity to work with the other Canter representatives to effect change and improve the health of equines.
Jane Hodgkinson
Education & Research
Liverpool University
I am passionate about making sure prescribers and horse owners have the best information when it comes to effectively controlling worms in their horses. CANTER brings together a wide variety of equine specialists and interests working towards a common goal – best practice parasite control. I share that goal!
CANTER will raise the profile of effective control of worms in horses, empowering prescribers and owners to have a conversation about the best ways to control parasites in horses under their care.
Know your horse’s parasite infection status, use diagnostics to determine if drug treatment is required and if it is make sure you know if your anthelmintic works.
Diane Gilby
Core Steering Group
EPLA
Over 20 years ago I became aware of the development of resistance in equines in the UK and through EPLA we have been able to dedicate ourselves to the observation of resistance in equine parasites over this time period through, what was then, the first risk assessed equine health plans. We are honoured to be part of CANTER, and a member of the Steering Group.
So many representatives in the industry are working together for the first time and combining all of the knowledge available to bring one message to horse owners, managers, vets and prescribers. The energy, enthusiasm and commitment of Canter is dedicated to the single focus of bringing clarity so that we can make change effective for the improvement of the health of equines in the UK.
Gwyn Jones
Governance
RUMA CA&E
We are delighted to be working with CANTER, providing governance, financial management, and administrative support to ensure its continued impact and long-term sustainability. CANTER’s mission aligns closely with our values and approach, making this a natural partnership to build on the group’s outstanding achievements.
As a truly collaborative, industry-led initiative—the first of its kind worldwide—CANTER has already made significant strides in tackling anthelmintic resistance. The collective expertise and commitment of its contributors are invaluable in driving forward sustainable equine parasite control, and we are proud to support its vital work in safeguarding equine health for the future.
INVOLVEMENT
In CANTER
The viewpoints above represent the pan-industry nature of the group and are just a handful of the many dedicated individuals and organisations that make up CANTER, sit on its Core Steering Group and Subgroups. As a voluntary organisation it is indebted to the passion, knowledge and enthusiasm that its members have brought to activities so far. In a short time there has already been a great deal achieved in our mission to combat wormer resistance but we are aware there is a long way to go. If you have skills and experience in this area that you would like to bring to the CANTER campaign for the good of our horses please send us a message.