For successful breeding outcomes, timing is everything. While there may be less pressure to produce performance horses early in the season, timely conceptions mean less disruption of competition schedules, reduced workload managing multiple cycles and increase the chances of success using valuable semen.
To help make the breeding process that little bit easier, Equilume provide Sport Horse breeders with simple-to-use tools – award-winning mobile Light Masks and smart Stable Lights – that ensure maximum success for breeding programmes, as well as optimum health and well-being for horses using this technology.
Scientifically developed, the biologically effective blue light in Equilume products mimics the wavelengths of light provided by the sun on a summer’s day. Both the quality of light and the duration of daily light delivered has important fertility benefits for mares. It is the powerful regulatory effect of blue light on production of the hormone melatonin that influence’s a mare’s reproductive system.
As seasonal breeders, the naturally lengthening days of spring suppress melatonin and in turn stimulate reproductive hormones that allow mares to commence breeding cycles.
Published scientific studies confirm that extending day length for non-pregnant mares using blue light from Equilume Light Masks advances reproductive cycles as effectively as stable lighting, with the bonus that mares can be fitted with these masks while away at competition, on the road or while at pasture. Early reproductive activity means more cycles for embryo transfer and less disruption to competition schedules. Light masks should be fitted 70 days before desired ovulations.
For pregnant mares, the benefits of extending daily light using blue light from Equilume light masks are comprehensive. As well as hormones that control reproduction, lengthening days also stimulate important growth hormones in the mare that allow foals to mature optimally in utero and mares to produce more milk and good colostrum. Multiple published studies have shown that pregnant mares fitted with Equilume Light Masks for the last 100 days of gestation have reduced gestations (average 10-15 days), optimal foal birth weights, improved foal maturity, and greatly improved post-foaling fertility.
Daily delivery of consistent blue light wavelengths by the light masks also ensures optimum health and well-being by naturally strengthening the horse’s body clock.
In addition to the Equilume Light Mask models, the Equilume Stable Light system provides stimulating blue-enriched light by day and dims to red light at night, encouraging rest and recovery while permitting nightime management routines without compromising internal circadian rhythms. It comes with custom programmes to optimise breeding and performance goals tailored to your horse’s needs.
“Equilume Light Masks have been an important part of our breeding programme for the past 5 years. They have helped us to make the process of getting progeny on the ground from our top competition mares that little bit easier and more efficient.” Chris and Gabi Chugg, Chuggy Equestrian, Aus
For more information about the Equilume Stable Lighting System visit our website www.equilume.com or contact us at Amandine@equilume.com or Max@equilume.com.
