Mares go through a period of anestrus when they do not produce follicles (eggs) and therefore cannot get pregnant. Mares are designed not to have foals in the winter months when daylight is short, the weather is cold and food is scarce. Click to find out why we want to manipulate this. As day light decreases, mares enter into a transition period when their follicle production and estrus cycle is highly irregular. After this transition period they enter what is known as anestrus. At the end of anestrus, when daylight begins to increase, the mare goes through another period of transition before she begins to cycle with regularity. Transition period last a long time from 20- 40 days. To my knowledge there is nothing available to decrease the transition period (to shorten the period when mares are in this phase)
It has been discovered that artificial lighting can bring a mare out of anestrus. It is believe that artificial lighting disrupts the production of melatonin and signals that the days are getting longer. When the mare perceives the days are getting longer she goes through her transition period, after which she begins cycling again.
If you're interested in further information click on any of the topics below.
•I want to
try this, what do I need to do?
•Is it the amount of daylight
the mare needs
or a lack of darkness?
•How much light do I need?
What is the flash method of lighting?
•Is continual lighting or
the flash system better?
•What are some of the drawbacks?
