Faecal egg counts and nemabiome metabarcoding highlight the genomic complexity of equine cyathostomin communities and provide insight into their dynamics in a Scottish native pony herd

•A longitudinal study of faecal egg counts and nemabiomes of six native ponies was undertaken.•There was high complexity of equine strongylid parasite communities.•Seasonal trends in abundance of strongylid parasites were found in each horse.•High abundance of Cylicostephanus longibursatus was associated with patent over-winter infections.•Insight was gained about the dynamics of egg shedding and pasture contamination of equine nematodes.