Looking for recommendations for mail-order fecal testing. My local vet clinic doesn’t offer this, but I’d rather test and deworm strategically than just “throw” every dewormer I can find at the ponies. I’ve found a few options using the forum search, but prices and services vary wildly. Is there a ‘top contender’ that most people trust? Thanks in advance!
I second Horsemens Lab. Used them last year, was quick and easy and cheaper than my local vet office. Ordered them again this year!
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Following.
The SmartPak option is reasonable, and a fecal through my clinic is outrageously expensive so I’m also interested in this. BUT! I’ve always been told to refrigerate the manure before bringing it to the vet if I’m bringing it in the next day. Doesn’t sending it in the mail violate that?!
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they normally come with cold packs (or at least the brand I have used does)
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also, doing fecals is pretty easy with a simple microscope and mcmaster slides!
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Supposedly out of state submissions can be done by the Maryland State lab. I’m in state and we drive them over but they do have mailing instructions including how they need to be cooled. It’s $15 for instate and 30 for out of state.
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I have been using the ZERO EGG COUNT test kit ordered from Chewy. It includes a thermal foil insulated mailer and a freeze pack to include with the sample. Turnaround time is short snd the communication with the lab is superb.
Prior to this I used the Dover Saddlery test kits. On my 5 star rating system the Dover kit is a one star, Zero Egg Count is pretty close to five star, but that’s because it costs more than Dover or my equine vet clinic. I keep them in my UTV while I am picking pastures to grab fresh from the horse hot samples. My horses are out 24/7 and so there is no manure in stalls. I store the freezer mailing packs in my tack room fridge, so I can have the sample in the mailbox for pickup right away.
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I haven’t used theirs! Sorry if that wasn’t clear. I can’t remember the brand I used, but they had cold packs and very detailed instructions.
I believe that a brief period of warmth is ok - there is a certain amount of time that is OK so perhaps the instructions are to ship asap after gathering.
Ya, I guess it’s just a general question to anyone (@JB?) about proper handling of samples. If I put a sample in USPS on Friday, it’s not getting to the SmartPak lab for probably a week. Even with cold packs, that’s not going to be cold in the summer.
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Handling - grab in a baggie, squeeze as much air out as you can, and it needs to be put into cold storage at that point and for shipping. You do want to pay for next day shipping/similar if temps are hot. You really don’t want them sitting over a weekend in a USPS/UPS warehouse
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Thanks!! Curious that SmartPak doesn’t mention that in their instructions. Maybe I’ll reach out to them about it.
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I wondered for years why my Dover tests always came back negative. Paper mailer, tiny sample container, no cooling package, and turnaround time close to 2 weeks.
My first Zero Egg Count sample came back positive on the 3rd day after mailing, and included recommendations and suggestions. Plus I was able to chat that day with a very knowledgable person in the lab.
Not quite as good as an equine vet in-house lab (my multiple vet group practice has their own), but pretty darn close.
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I definitely would. It would likely be fine this time of year and earlier, but even an 80* low humidity day is going to get warm, fast, if it takes 3 days to get to the destination
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I’ve used Horsemen’s Laboratory four times per year for four years and have been happy with results. I buy multiple tests at a time for the savings and they keep a tally of my pre-paid tests.
I also have my own microscope and purchased a McMaster’s kit. I just couldn’t seem to get it to work when I made my own float solution following careful instructions, but I finally caved and bought the commercial solution a few months ago and I’ve had some success. I’m comparing my results to Horsemen’s Laboratory for the next few go-rounds because I have several prepaid tests remaining. I might switch to doing all of my own - it is somewhat messy and tedious, but less delay between collection and testing would seem to lend to more accurate results (novice errors notwithstanding), and of course the costs keep rising for lab tests.
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I had no idea about this. I could easily drive some poop to Frederick.
Thanks, everyone, for the great recommendations! I’ll be sure to select one with cold packs—though, given that we’re in the middle of a blizzard right now, it doesn’t feel quite as “necessary” at this very minute… 
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Their hours aren’t the most conducive to those of us with office jobs (closes at 430) which is annoying but I coordinate with a BO, trainer, or a WFH local friend to drop the poops off since the price is that reasonable. My vet is totally understanding too.
