BackgroundEquine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by the hemoparasites Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Theileria haneyi. T. haneyi, a close relative of T. equi that causes mild clinical signs under experimental conditions, has been reported in several countries, adding complexity to EP ecology, diagnosis, and treatment. However, its presence in Spain remains unknown, which is concerning given the country's importance in equine genetics and international trade. Her