Martin Nielsen, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVM, Schlaikjer professor of Equine Infectious Disease at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center, has launched a new lesson-style video series on equine parasitology.

The series consist of approximately 15-30 minute videos dedicated to one equine parasite each. The series covers threadworms, ascarids, small strongyles, bloodworms, tapeworms, bots and pinworms.

“I found that during the lock-down, people all over the world were craving meaningful activities to spend their time on. Binge watching TV shows and movies on Netflix tends to get a little stale with time, and at some point, you start looking around for something different,” he said. “I may be slightly biased, but I thought I had exactly what any horse owner, equine or veterinary student and veterinarian was looking for…worms!

“I communicate about these all the time, but I wanted to try a different format. So with this video series, I take a journey through the horse’s life and talk about the parasites it encounters in the order of appearance,” Nielsen said. “I cover biology, life cycle, disease, treatment, resistance and so on. I show a few graphs and pictures as well as several specimens from our parasite collection, but at the same time, I try to keep it lighthearted and entertaining.”

So far, three have aired, with four more to follow soon. The first three videos proved to be extremely popular, each garnering more than 10,000 views.

“I particularly enjoy seeing how these videos are being picked up by a large variety of groups, including 4H’ers, Pony Clubbers, extension agents, veterinarians and veterinary students from across the world,” he said. “I mean, this is what and who we are here for. Meaningful science communication brought straight to the end-user.”

• Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRoBvmjwoYM
• Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0kGoYWw4hs
• Episode 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBITUYuOH2c

Find future videos on the Gluck Center’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GluckEquineResearchCenter/

Holly Wiemers, MA, APR, is communications and managing director of UK Ag Equine Programs.