Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
Research presented at the Equine Symposium of the British Society for Animal Science’s Conference, showed that pregnant mares wearing blue light masks in the final 100 days of gestation had shorter pregnancies, earlier post-foaling ovulations, developed larger follicles, and produced foals that were more mature at birth.
The exciting studies, conducted by researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria, also found that foals from mares wearing light masks in the final months of pregnancy were 15 minutes faster at getting to their feet after birth than foals born to mares that did not receive additional light.
The two-year study was conducted at the historic Brandenburg State Stud in Germany. The blue-light stimulated mares developed larger follicles in the late stages of gestation and could be bred sooner after foaling. Foals born from mares wearing blue light masks also had shorter hair coats, demonstrating that the light perceived by the pregnant mare is transmitted to the foal and influences their physical development in utero.
These study findings show how correct light management of our pregnant mares can improve breeding efficiencies similar to Nature, but still allow foaling earlier in the year to fit with industry timelines.
Published Research Articles:
Nolan, M. B., Walsh, C. M., Duff, N., McCrarren, C., Prendergast, R. L., & Murphy, B. A. (2017). Theriogenology, 100, 126-133. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.06.012
Sternberg Allen, T. E., Russell, C., & Murphy, B. A. (2020). In Advances in Animal Biosciences Vol. 11. Nottingham, UK: Cambridge University Press. (Issue pg. 56 (PDF pg. 60))
Lutzer, A., Nagel, C., Murphy, B. A., Aurich, J., Wulf, M., Gautier, C., & Aurich, C. (2022). Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 78. doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2021.106675
Lutzer, A., Nagel, C., Aurich, J., Murphy, B. A., & Aurich, C. (2022). Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 112. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103922
Dr. Christina Nagel, P. -D., Lutzer, A., Wulf, M., Murphy, B. A., Aurich, J., Gautier, C., & Aurich, C. (2021). 51. In Animal – science proceedings Vol. 12 (pp. 41). Elsevier BV. doi:10.1016/j.anscip.2021.03.052