Last season, I really put the Equilume Light Mask to the test. I used it on mares that for years would’nt cycle until April or May. With the EquilumeTM Light Mask the mares were cycling by the end of January. Staying outside with the mask is positive for the horse, for their life, for mares cycling, for their hair coat. I look forward to using the mask again this season. I am sold!
Chris Benedict, Judge AQHA, NRCHA, NCHA, DLR Ranch, Weatherford, TX, USA
The very best device I have seen in 25years of reproductive practice, second only to the introduction of the ultrasound. It will get them bred early.
William T. Gray, DVM, Cottonwood Veterinary Clinic, California
"I have been excited since being introduced to this concept and have successfully used the Equilume™ Light Masks for the last two breeding seasons, I am confident that they will be a world wide success for breeders. In the difficult breeding year of 2013, Equilume™ was a ‘shining light’ in tightening our average gestation lengths."
Dermot Cantillon, Tinnakill House Stud, Ireland
"We used the Equilume Light Masks last season on a selection of our in-foal mares with a history of long gestation lengths. We found that the masks worked to good effect and resulted in a significant reduction in gestation lengths compared to the 2013 gestations in the same mares. We felt the light masks were effective at reducing prolonged gestations in pregnant mares and intend to use them again."
Mick and Tiffany Allen, Celadon Benbrook Australian Stock Horses Luskintyre, NSW.
"We used the Equilume Light Masks last year with great success. Our dry mares were all cycling and covered early, while reducing our management costs significantly. Our pregnant mares that wore the masks foaled on time with excellent post-foaling fertility, especially mares that had previously struggled to cycle with foal at foot. We would highly recommend Equilume to farms that want to reduce costs and improve breeding efficiency."
Mike Fleming, Broadwater Thoroughbreds.
"We decided to give Equilume a try for the first time this year (2017) as winters in the Northwest are dark, wet and cold. It can be a real challenge to get mares to build follicles and ovulate in a timely manner up here. We found Equilume at the Fort Worth Futurity in December last year and brought home a few and put them on our mares in Mid December and by February they were cycling as if it were May. The horses that weren't wearing the masks didn't build follicles as fast and in some cases we couldn't get a good heat cycle. We found it so convenient, no need for lights, out in their paddocks with the masks was all we needed."
Michele Schimmel, Prestige Farms, USA
"The 20 masks you put on our mares in early December are working beautifully. Our mares are foaling closer to their due dates than is usual during the winter months and they are just as effective in getting mares to come into oestrus as lighted stalls, if not more so. They represent a large saving of both money and labor as compared to bringing mares in and out of barns with lighted stalls, cleaning and rebedding stalls etc."
Alan J. Leavitt, Walnut Hall Ltd. Kentucky, USA.
"My two barren mares that wore masks since november both cycled, were bred, and got in foal just as I had hoped. I bred the first one on feb 14th and the second on feb 20th. Figuring normal gestation of 11 months 10 days, my first two mares to foal were right on target. Thats almost perfect in my opinion. Using the masks have been a life changer. I love them! They have given me confidence in the future."
Rosylin Polan, Sunday Morning Farm, Kentucky, USA
Equilume is the best lighting program I have ever experienced! We used it on 100% of our mares (including Recipient mares). My mares were cycling better than ever before on February 1st. I always said that mares that lived outside had less uterine fluid, this was the proof! This year my mares were outside grazing and playing with their buddies 16 more hours a day than they had in the past. My old mares this year had minimal problems with poor uterine clearance and urine pooling. I have no doubt that is because of being outside 24/7.
Kurt W Harris DVM, Fulton Quien Sabe Ranch, USA
"Debbie and I used Equilume Light Masks on four barren mares and one maiden mare last season at Jackson Purchase Farm. I was a little reluctant to part with proven ways, but I am happy to say that the masks worked great. All of the mares had breedable follicles and had gone through transition by the February 14th. Four of the mares conceived on the first cover while one was more challenging. In the winter of 2014 we had zero issues with the mares being outside 24/7, often in sub-zero temperatures. Besides the fact that the mares all cycled as I hoped, I am still married, spent less on van and vet charges and had healthier mares. Like extended turnout for any class of horse, daily observation, occasional adjusting of masks and adjustment of feed and hay is necessary. For me the economics were good and the mares simply did better outside. I am a believer!"
Dr. Steve Jackson, Bluegrass Equine Nutrition, Lexington, KY.