Collect fresh manure
- Collect manure within a few hours of being passed.
- Avoid old, dried-out or contaminated manure — it gives unreliable counts.
- Take approximately one golf-ball-sized sample per horse (about two to three fresh droppings).
Label each sample
Every horse needs its own zip-lock bag, one horse per bag. Squeeze out excess air, seal, and label the outside of the bag with:
- Horse's name
- Collection date
- Owner's name (if you're sending multiple horses)
Use a permanent marker directly on the bag — sticky labels can peel off in transit.
Keep samples cool
- Refrigerate immediately after collection.
- Do not freeze — freezing damages the eggs and ruins the count.
- Keep cool right up until you post or drop off — never leave samples in a hot car or in direct sun.
Posting your sample
- Post Monday to Wednesday where possible.
- Avoid posting immediately before weekends or public holidays — samples sitting in a sorting facility degrade.
- Use a padded envelope or small mailing satchel; group all zip-lock bags for the same booking into one parcel.
- Aim for samples to arrive within 24–48 hours of collection where possible.
Local drop-off
Prefer to hand-deliver? Local clients can arrange a convenient drop-off time after booking online. Select drop-off as your preferred method during booking and we'll be in touch to confirm a time and location that suits you.
Common mistakes to avoid
Collecting old manure
Dried-out droppings give unreliable counts. Fresh only.
Leaving samples in the sun
Heat degrades eggs quickly. Straight into the fridge.
Freezing samples
Freezing damages eggs and ruins the count. Chilled, not frozen.
Mixing multiple horses together
One bag per horse — we can't separate mixed samples.
Forgetting to label bags
Unlabelled bags can't be reported against the right horse.
Frequently asked questions
How much manure do I need?+
About a golf-ball-sized sample per horse is plenty — roughly two to three fresh, warm balls of manure. More than that just adds weight to the parcel without improving the count.
Can I collect from the paddock?+
Yes, as long as the manure is fresh — ideally passed within the last few hours and still moist. Avoid old, dried-out or sun-baked droppings, and don't pick up anything that's obviously been contaminated by soil, sand or other horses.
Can samples stay in the fridge overnight?+
Yes. Sealed zip-lock bags kept in the fridge (not the freezer) are fine for a day or two before posting. Keep them separate from food, and post as soon as practical.
Can I send multiple horses together?+
Absolutely — that's how most owners send. Each horse just needs its own labelled zip-lock bag so we can test them individually. Group them all into one padded envelope or satchel.
What happens after my sample arrives?+
We log your samples against your booking on arrival, run the Modified McMaster count under the microscope, quality-check the result, then email you a plain-English report — usually within a few working days.