13th March 2023
Having been supportive of the concept since it’s inception, SCOPS is please to see the launch of the Controlling ANTiparasitic resistance in Equines Responsibly (CANTER) group. SCOPS has fed into the creation of the group, lending expertise from more than 10 years of addressing the threat of anthelmintic resistance in sheep.
CANTER: a new pan-industry group to combat wormer resistance in UK equines
A new pan-industry group has been formed to tackle the increasing threat that wormer resistance poses to equine health and the equine industry.
CANTER (Controlling ANTiparasitic resistance in Equines Responsibly) brings together voluntary representation from the widest reaches of the equine sector. This includes leading experts in the field across prescribers, diagnostics providers, pharmaceutical companies, trade organisations, technical experts, horse owners, charities and policymakers.
All recognise the critical consequences of antiparasitic resistance and the need for coordinated action to slow its development and maintain the effectiveness of our current anthelmintics.
Formation of the group has been spearheaded by Dr Claire Stratford, Principal Veterinary Advisor at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and Chair of the CANTER Core Steering Group.
Historically, there has been no equine equivalent to the livestock pan-industry groups, SCOPS and COWS, to facilitate a coordinated approach to parasite control. CANTER hopes to achieve similar reach and engagement regarding sustainable control of parasites in equines as SCOPS and COWS have achieved in sheep and cattle. CANTER looks forward to working with SCOPS and COWS in the future on cross-sector issues related to antiparasitic resistance and responsible use.
Dr Claire Stratford comments: “We’ve come so far in a short time and that’s down to the passion that so many people have brought to this project. It’s really 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.”
CANTER is prioritising four strands of activity:-
The aim is to support a consistent approach to parasite control across the equine community and to become a ‘single source of truth’ on issues related to antiparasitic resistance in equines, in an area that has traditionally seen some mixed messaging.
CANTER Core Steering Group members Claire Shand from Westgate Labs, Dr Claire Stratford from VMD and Claire Williams from the British Equestrian Trade Association officially launched CANTER in a presentation on the Skills Stage at The National Equine Show, 4th March 2023, Birmingham. They called for horse owners to assess parasite risk with their prescriber, test first to target treatment and poo pick paddocks, all to reduce exposure to wormers and the development of resistance.
To support the launch and call to action, CANTER has developed a free risk profiling resource for horse owners and prescribers. The Parasite Risk Table and supporting infographics are intended to highlight the broad range of factors that influence a horse’s parasite risk. Working through the risk factors of the CANTER acronym: Clinical history, Age Profile, Number of horses, Test results, and Environment to give an overall parasite Risk profile, the aim is to provide an easy assessment tool to categorise horses as low, medium or high risk of parasite infection and disease and to discuss appropriate action with their prescriber.
For more information about CANTER and to download the free parasite risk profile, visit www.canterforhorses.org.uk.
