For seasonal breeders such as the horse, the lengthening days of spring have long been associated with increased fertility, enhanced performance, improved coat condition and better health and well-being.
The duration of light exposure and the quality of the light administered are key to regulating these important physiological changes. Understanding this regulation is a fundamental factor to consider in our management of breeding stock.
THE DURATION OF LIGHT
A key understanding is the important of the duration of light exposure. Horses are long-day breeders. Their natural reproductive period coincides with the light-filled days of summer.
A summer’s day consists of approximately 16 hours of light and 8 hours of dark (Long Day). It is the rapid transition from Short Day to Long Day that can stimulate early reproductive activity and ovulation in mares.
On average, it takes 75 days from initiation of Long Day light treatment to the first ovulation of the season. We recommend that Long Day light therapy begins no later than July 1st to ensure that mares are ready for breeding in time for the official start of the breeding season.
“Swettenham Stud made the change to Equilume masks prior to last season. After impressive results, we will be continuing to use them going forward. The mares are better settled and relaxed by being able to stay in their paddocks rather than coming in each night and cycled as early, or earlier, than previous years. We could not be happier with the results.”
OUTDOOR LIVING
Having a mare stand in a stall for 16 hours per day to facilitate light therapy is not the best option for her fertility. Mares are less stressed and show improved uterine tone when at grass in herd environments and constantly moving. The natural exercise afforded by grazing facilitates the clearing of fluid from the uterus which can be a common source of sub-fertility in barren mares.
Our advice to breeders is to try to maintain mares as close to their natural condition as possible – outdoors, as groups at pasture, with freedom to move and express normal patterns of behaviour. Reduce stress wherever possible, provide good quality forage and access to ground- temperature water.
Published scientific studies confirm that extending daylength for dry mares using blue light from Equilume Light Masks will advance reproductive cycles as effectively as stable lighting, with the bonus that mares can be kept at pasture.
“We’ve been using Equilume Light Masks since 2013. On average we use between 60 and 80 masks a year on our dry mares for early cycling and also on some of our maidens. We find them a very useful operational tool with the large herd that we have, allowing us to have the mares out in the paddocks roaming freely and not having to bring them into barns, filling up boxes and using excess staff.
There are also some financial benefits to using Equilume. Obviously there is no stable bedding and a reduction in stable staff by not needing to transport the horses in and out on a daily basis. This is money that I think is well spent in order to save on operational overheads.
There is no doubt that our mares are happier outside grazing in paddocks than being inside stables. To that effect, I think Equilume has been a big benefit to Arrowfield.”
COSTS SAVINGS
Fitting an Equilume Light Mask allows for flexibility of indoor or outdoor living as conditions permit. Leave them outdoors 24/7 and the mask handles light delivery for you. Bring them inside, or even travel, as needed, knowing that the Light Mask is automated, delivering optimum light stimulation to the eye right on schedule, every day.
This not only saves you a significant amount of money, but it has been shown that field-kept mares are less stressed, and happier mares have greater success with all aspects of fertility and pregnancy.
"The 2021 breeding season will be Torryburn’s eighth consecutive year using Equilume Light Masks. They are an integral part of our breeding and husbandry program. Not only do they help with getting our maiden and dry mares cycling early, we also use them on our early foaling mares to ensure they are cycling after foaling in the last month of winter.”
BELFIELD & CURRAGH LIGHT MASK
The Curragh and Belfield Light Mask models are specifically designed for breeding stock to receive ‘long day’ light signals when they are maintained outdoors at pasture.
This scientifically developed and patented technology stimulates summer daylight signals to advance the reproductive period while facilitating flexible management and reducing costs associated with stabling horses under lights.
By extending daylight hours using blue light, melatonin is suppressed and the horse’s reproductive hormones are stimulated so that breeding activity coincides with important industry timelines. Early foaling dates are achieved while maintaining optimal health and well-being for breeding stock.
For more information or to discuss any questions you can contact us here :
www.equilume.com max@equilume.com +61 4 19 940 636
