"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.
"I was delighted with the benefits we gained from our first season using the Equilume Light Masks in 2013. Aside from the obvious efficiencies of not having to box our mares under lights, our barren and maidens had strong heats in early September with excellent fertility. Without any hesitation, we will be using the light masks again next season."
Gordon Cunnigham, Curraghmore Stud, New Zealand
"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 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
"I think that Equilume Light Masks will open the eyes of the horse industry to the benefits of light manipulation in the same way that deslorelin brought focus to ovulation-inducing drugs"
Dr. Angus McKinnon B.V.Sc., M.Sc., Diplomate A.C.T., Dip.Vet.Med., Diplomate A.B.V.P, Director, Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital, Shepparton, VIC, AUS.
"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
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
"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
"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