A tapeworm infestation cannot be detected through a McMaster fecal examination. If detected, it is usually by chance (visual finding). Until now, detection was done using a combined sedimentation-flotation method. If a tapeworm was detected in a horse, all horses in the herd were treated "blindly" as a precaution, regardless of the results of the other horses. With the new and unique Equisal saliva test, a new approach is being taken here, ideally complementing selective deworming. How does it work? If a horse is infected with tapeworms, the horse’s immune system produces tapeworm-specific antibodies that can be detected in the saliva. The amount of antibodies present allows conclusions to be drawn about the severity of an existing tapeworm infection. The two special laboratory tests used for this are called ELISAs and were developed in England by the company Austin Davis Biologics Ltd. The tests that this test had to undergo before approval show: 1. It can detect almost all tapeworm infections. There were only a few horses with an infection where the test was negative. However, this was because these animals had fewer than 20 tapeworms. (It should be noted that it is considered certain that more than 20 tapeworms are harmful and there is no evidence yet that a lower infestation should not be treated.) 2. It reliably diagnosed all horses with a harmful (over 20) tapeworm infection. Previous tests show that about 70% of the horses examined do not need to be treated against tapeworms at all. When should the Equisal tapeworm test be done? First, the test should only be done on horses that have not received a deworming treatment against tapeworms in the last 4 months. Within this period, the antibody level would not have dropped sufficiently and would distort the test result. A twice-yearly examination is recommended: once shortly before the start of winter and once at the beginning of spring. Since this test is sent to England and is procedurally more complex, you will receive the result after about 12-14 days.