The Equilume Stable Lighting System is a breakthrough in lighting technology that provides biologically effective light that mimics daylight for the stabled horse.
“I was amazed at the overall change in the horses after about six weeks under the Equilume Stable Lights, by the condition they were carrying and the way their coats looked. We were quietly surprised how clean all the throats looked when we scoped them prior to shipping out to the sales, clear of pharyngitis, all mucus and guttural pouch infections. For me, who is sceptical of most things new, I found these Stable Lights to be one of the only new technologies that worked really well.”
Eddie Woods, USA, Leading Group 1 Consignor
So what is ‘biologically effective’ lighting? and how can it help improve a horse’s performance? The horse’s ancestors evolved outside and were exposed to regular changes in light and dark and high intensities of daytime light from the sun.
This ensured that their body clock, or circadian system, functioned optimally. In particular, the high proportion of blue wavelength light in natural daylight is important for receptors in the eye that are key for regulating our body clock.
This system consists of a master controller in the brain that perceives the time of day information via blue light signals sent from the retina. The brain clock then transmits messages throughout the horse’s body to synchronize the rhythmical functioning of each organ, so that all body systems function optimally in harmony with the environment.
Poor lighting and exposure to the wrong kind of lighting at different times of day play havoc with an animal’s circadian system causing it to flatline. The consequences of circadian disruption are commonly experienced by humans due to shift work, jet lag or too much screen time at night, and include sleep disturbances, low alertness, impaired performance, immune suppression, illness and disease.
Within the equine industry, there have been amazing advances in nutritional science, veterinary science and training technologies, but until now we have remained very much in the dark concerning one crucial environmental factor that impacts health and performance – lighting.
When feeding, training and veterinary care are optimized, the provision of the correct biologically effective lighting program can bring all the ingredients together and fine tune the engine for our equine athletes.
Modern management of racehorses requires that they spend a large proportion of the 24-h day indoors, unexposed to optimum daylight and frequently disrupted by light at night. Horses kept in this manner often have impaired immune function, performance capacity, appetite and rest. Similar to humans, the source of this physiological dysfunction lies with the horse’s circadian system failing to operate optimally.
“We want the best for our horses & don’t want to miss out on a performance edge. The science behind Equilume makes so much sense and really helps my horses look and feel great, so they can perform at their best. ”
Sam Watson, Ireland, International Event Rider
“We have had superb results for the last few years using Equilume. The Light Masks work in many ways to produce super coats with a lot less rugging. They also stimulate muscle performance, all while helping to keep horses relaxed. They make all the difference to producing horses at top level.”
Rochelle King-Andrews, Australia, Grand Prix Dressage Rider and Trainer
“Within 30 days of installing Equilume Stable Lights I noticed significant improvements in my horses’ coats. Even in the summer months they looked much better under these lights than they did at the same time last year. I also noticed a huge difference in the way the horses feel under saddle. I am convinced that they are positively impacting my horses.”
Austin Shepard, USA, Cutting Horses, NCHA Rider Hall of Fame, NCHA Futurity Champion
