Research on Equliume Light Mask

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:

Artificially extended photoperiod administered to pre-partum mares via blue light to a single eye: Observations on gestation length, foal birth weight and foal hair coat at birth

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

An investigation of the use of blue light therapy to extend photoperiod in pregnant mares and its influence on gestation length on commercial breeding farms

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))

Effects of blue monochromatic light directed at one eye of pregnant horse mares on gestation, parturition and foal maturity

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

Development of Foals Until One Year of Age When the Dam was Exposed to Blue Monochromatic Light Directed at One Eye During Late Pregnancy

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

Effects of blue light diodes directed at one eye of pregnant mares on first postpartum ovulation and pregnancy rate

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