Leni Horner is a dedicated equine parasitologist with a passion for maintaining the health and well-being of horses with the most up to date parasite management strategies. Leni has completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, followed by an Honours degree, comparing the faecal egg counts of horses with and without pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, also commonly called Cushing’s). This led to a PhD investigating equine immune responses to small strongyles (a common yet challenging equine worm) in horses with and without PPID. Since completing the PhD, it became apparent that research outcomes in equine parasite management are not reaching interested stakeholders. Given the growing populations of drug-resistant worms in horses and the limited drugs available to clear worm burdens, empowering equine stakeholders with the most up to date research, current local parasite behaviour, and recommended guidelines for parasite management is more important than ever! Therefore, recognising the need for education and resources in parasite management, Leni founded VermiVanguard, a business aimed at equipping horse owners and professionals with the most current knowledge and strategies for effective parasite management. VermiVanguard offers insightful educational workshops designed to arm participants with the knowledge and understanding of common parasites and their lifecycles, and how to implement management strategies. In addition to educational experiences, VermiVanguard provides affordable faecal egg count services, enabling horse owners to monitor and manage their equine companions' parasites. By helping clients understand the importance of targeted parasite management strategies, VermiVanguard is committed to creating a community that fosters an informed approach to equine parasite care, where knowledge meets action and horse health and happiness is the ultimate goal.
