"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
"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
"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.
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 same mare's gestations last year. We intend to use them again.
Julian Dollar, General Manager, Newsells Park Stud, UK
We at Taylor Made used the Equilume Light Masks on over 50 barren and maiden mares this season (2016) to bring forward seasonal reproductive activity. We found that the light masks worked just as well as conventional stable lighting at ensuring early cyclicity. In addition we believe that there are significant advantages to extended turn-out for mares that Equilume facilitates.
Frank Taylor, Vice President, Taylor Made Farms, Kentucky, USA
"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.
"I initially used the Equilume Light Mask on "The Job is Right" during the darkest days of winter as I felt the horse just wasn't thriving. A month later he started to look and feel a lot better in himself and was enjoying his work more. I also used a mask on a barren mare who shortly afterwards started cycling and went in foal on her first cover."
Micheal Hourigan, Racehorse Trainer
"All mares with the Equilume™ mask showed heat in January and they had normal oestrous cycles. Equilume is effective to control reproductive organs as much as standard method of light control. The mares with Equilume were covered in the early breeding season and 70% of them became pregnant immediately. Equilume saved our time and daily running costs (electricity, bedding and labor etc)."
Dr. Naoya Yoshida DVM, Winchester Farm, Kentucky, USA
"We purchased one of these new masks for a mare here in Ballydorgan Stud who has consistently foaled well past her due date. 6 weeks overdue in 2012! She foaled bang on time last night, so we are well impressed with this new concept and product."
John & Annemarie O’Connor, Ballydorgan Stud, Ireland
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