THE Equilux Performance Lighting system is a fully automated intelligent lighting system specifically designed to maximise health, growth and performance in horses.

Developed by Mr Sam Murphy, in collaboration with Dr Barbara Murphy, of Equilume Ltd and University College Dublin, this revolutionary system harnesses all the benefits of natural daylight for the stabled horse.

The lengthening days of spring have long been associated with increased fertility, growth and performance.

In nature, this prepares an animal for breeding, foaling and protection of the herd.

Alertness and mood are enhanced.

Muscle metabolism is improved.

Feed is better utilised for growth and development.

By understanding the qualities of natural daylight, we can mimic these positive effects on physiology using a custom designed ‘smart lighting’ system for horses.

The Equilux system provides the horse with biologically effective light, incorporating the correct spectral intensities of light that have been validated by university research studies for maximum daytime activity and night time rest.

KEY FEATURES

The Equilux Performance Lighting system has been specifically designed to replicate nature within a stable or barn and is tailored to meet the practical and commercial needs of horse trainers and breeders. It comprises the following key features:

  • 1. Blue-enriched broad spectrum white light: This customised spectral composition was specifically designed to peak within the blue light wavelength known to stabilise and strengthen circadian rhythms in the horse.
  • 2. Astronomical timing system: The Equilux system comes pre-programmed with sunrise and sunset times for the entire world. Upon entering the GPS location, the system will simulate dawn and dusk at a pre-set time interval prior to and post natural dawn and dusk, providing an extended day length that gradually increases and decreases in phase with the seasons. A minimum winter day length of 10-12 hours is set to facilitate the workings of a busy yard, and a maximum summer day length of 15-17 hours ensures that horses always receive sufficient night time rest. This unique ‘Astro’ system allows horses to experience a shorter 10-week winter photoperiod and a longer 42-week summer photoperiod. In short, spring is brought forward and autumn delayed, extending the period of peak physical performance and training capacity.
  • 3. Red light at night: The Equilux red light is invisible to the horse’s circadian system. It does not disrupt internal rhythms. Research trials show that levels of the circadian regulating hormone melatonin rise at night under the Equilux red light similar to darkness. The red light facilitates night time monitoring and feeding of horses while avoiding the negative consequences of white light at night *.
  • 4. Natural dawn and dusk: The Equilux system has a dim up and dim down feature at dawn and dusk that allows the horse experience a gradual rising and falling of light intensity, similar to the natural environment. This feature eliminates the stress response induced by abrupt changes between light and dark in stabled horses.

    • BENEFITS AND FINANCE

    The Equilux Performance Lighting system uses the latest LED technology and functions at a fraction of the cost of traditional stable lighting. Each light fixture contains a real time self-adjusting light sensor that detects the intensity of natural light in the stable provided by doors and windows.

    As natural light levels change throughout the day, the system will continuously adjust up and down to maintain the correct level of biologically effective light in the stable, reducing energy requirements.

    Electricity is measured in units called kilowatt hours (kWh). The average energy consumed by the Equilux system when run continuously for a 24-h period is 500 W or 0.5kWh, which is significantly less than the cost of traditional stable lighting.

    The lights are now available to be purchased on finance. For more information contact Sam Murphy via:

    Web: www.equilux.ie

    Tel: +353 86 417 7807

    Email: sam@equilux.ie