Re: Artificial light/deter winter coat

[EAMULE@aol.com]

Kaaren,

Yes, artificial light does help reduce coat development.  It, also, can be
used to get mares to start cycling earlier in the year.

The coat production and mares' estrous cycles are photosensitive.  As the days
get shorter the horse naturally starts growing its winter coat no matter what
the temperature and the opposite is true in the spring.  As the days get
longer the mares' start cycling. Adding artificial light over a mare in
January her system starts "thinking" the days are getting longer.   By giving
artificial light you are confusing the horses' photosensitive system.

As I understand it the light has to be incandescent.  

Ellen