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Introduction to the Equilume Stable Light Improves growth and development in young stock Increases muscle response to exercise Improves daytime alertness Permits undisturbed night time rest Circannual function extends season of peak performance Advances breeding season for mares Advances and extends season of optimum fertility for stallions Optimises gestation lengths for mares Optimises foal growth in utero for improved health and strength Stimulates and maintains optimum coat condition Reduces microbial concentrations in stables Minimises electricity costs 1
Introduction to Equilume Performance Lighting Equilume Performance Lighting is a unique system that comprises fully automated, intelligent stable lights and mobile light masks designed to maximise health, growth and performance in horses. Developed by our R&D department, led by Dr Barbara Murphy, Head of Equine Science at University College Dublin, this revolutionary system harnesses all the benefits of natural daylight for the stabled horse and permits continued exposure to optimum lighting when travelling or at pasture. The lengthening days of spring have long been associated with improved fertility, growth and performance. In nature, this prepares an animal for breeding, foaling and protection of the herd. Altertness and mood are enhanced Muscle metabolism is improved Feed is better utilised for growth & 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. Equilume Performance Lighting provides the horse with biologically effective light, incorporating the correct spectral intensities of light that have been validated by science to stimulate maximum daytime activity and night time rest. 2
Light... Controls The Horse s Internal Clock Horses need light for more than just vision. It synchronises their internal clock - a complex control system that coordinates all bodily functions to a 24-h (circadian) or 365- day (circannual) rhythm. Without biologically effective lighting that mimics daylight, a horse s internal clock can become depressed or out of sync, leading to impaired growth and performance. Modern management of the competition horse requires that they spend a large proportion of the 24-h day indoors and unexposed to optimal daily light intensities or to a natural light/dark cycle. Benefits of optimal and regularly timed lighting for both physical and mental health are now clearly recognised and implemented for humans, and for growth and development in sheep, chickens and cows. 3
Circadian Lighting For indoor lighting to best reflect the qualities of outdoor environmental light, it must have three important characteristics: 1) More blue in the light: Natural daylight has a high amount of blue, short wavelength light. Blue light targets special photoreceptors in the eye that stimulate the circadian control centre in the brain. Blueenriched light boosts activity, metabolism and alertness levels, and promotes feelings of well-being. 2) Regular and coordinated with the seasons: Dawn and dusk should occur at regular times that gradually change to reflect the seasons, permitting anticipation of daily exercise and feeding times. This stabilises and strengthens a horse s 24-h rhythms. 3) Undisturbed at night: Dim red light or darkness is required for the nightly rise in melatonin levels that regulates internal timing. White light at night disturbs melatonin production and reduces rest, immune function and daytime performance capacity. Ideal lighting facilitates rest and regeneration at night while permitting visibility for management routines. Light affects your horse s body: Daylight with a high blue component has an activating effect an boosts attention. The warmer light at dusk with a high red component facilitates rest. 4
The Equilume Stable Light Specifically designed to replicate nature within a stable or barn and tailored to meet the practical and commercial needs of horse trainers and breeders, the Equilume Stable Light 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. Natural Daylight Incandescent 100 100 intensity 80 60 40 intensity 80 60 40 20 20 400 500 600 700 wavelength (nm) 400 500 600 700 wavelength (nm) Equilume Fluorescent 100 100 intensity 80 60 40 intensity 80 60 40 20 20 400 500 600 700 wavelength (nm) 400 500 600 700 wavelength (nm) Unlike incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tube lighting, the Equilume Stable Light uses light that is enriched in the blue spectrum. This biologically effective light closely mimics natural daylight. 5
The Equilume Stable Light 2) Circannual timing system: The Equilume Stable Light comes pre-programmed with sunrise and sunset times for the entire world. Upon entering your 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 10-12h is set to facilitate the workings of a busy yard, and a maximum summer day length of 15-18h ensures that horses always receive sufficient nighttime rest. For competition horses, the Circannual functionality 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 Equilume Stable Light s red light at night feature is invisible to the horse s circadian system. It does not disturb internal rhythms and permits routine management of horses at night. 6
The Equilume Stable Light Research trials show that levels of the circadian regulating hormone melatonin, rise at night under the Equilume red light similar to darkness. The red light facilitates night time monitoring, management and feeding of horses while avoiding the negativeconsequences of white light at night. Research results: The 24-h pattern of melatonin production is maintained under the Equilume system. 4) Natural dawn and dusk: The Equilume Stable Light has a dim-up and dim-down feature at dawn and dusk that allows the horse to 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 for stabled horses. 7
Research Trial: Thoroughbreds in Training In Jan 2016, 58 two year olds from the same yard were divided into two groups. Group 1 were housed in stables under a lighting system that provided: 1) blue enriched polychromatic LED light, 2) a circannual timing system, 3) red light at night, and 4) gradual simulation of dawn and dusk. Group 2 were housed under traditional stable lighting provided by fluorescent tubes. All horses were on the same training programme that gradually increased in intensity from week 0 to week 15 and consisted of a single exercise bout each day between 7 and 10 am. Data on weight and % fat composition was collected at 3-week intervals and Fat Free Mass (FFM) calculated for each horse. Results: Horses maintained under the customised LED lighting system had a significantly (P<0.01) higher FFM (14kg) compared to control horses after 15 weeks of training. This was correlated with higher weight (P<0.01) and improved coat condition. FFM is positively correlated with maximal aerobic capacity in horses and is viewed as an important indicator of performance. Changes in weight, body fat and FFM over time in horses in training housed under the customised LED lighting system. 8
Research Trial: Environmental Microbes During a trial comparing growth parameters in young horses under the customised LED lighting system versus traditional stable lighting, environmental samples of stable air and interior surfaces were collected on weeks 2 and 8. Samples were cultured and analysed for fungal and bacterial microbes by the Microbiology Department of the Irish Equine Centre. Results: Airborne and surface microbes were shown to be reduced in the stables with the customised LED lighting system, especially after 8 weeks. Recent research in the human medical field has shown that blue wavelength light can inhibit specific microbial growth. The customised LED lighting system tested here reduced the microbial concentrations in the stable environment that could contribute to respiratory infection, extended wound healing time and skin infections such as ringworm. 9
Equilume Stable Light Specifications Equilume Stable Light Luminaire Enhanced spectral composition - An optimum blend of high performance LEDs provides a light spectrum that best mimics natural daylight with a high blue component for enhanced biological effect Equilume s LED technology functions at a fraction of the cost of traditional stable lighting, greatly minimising energy costs Circular luminaires provide optimum light diffusion for all stable layouts Ambient light sensors adjusts luminaire intensity when natural daylight is present for greater energy savings IP66 rated housing Temperature rated from -20 C to +50 C Equilume Stable Light Control Panel User-friendly interface for easy programming Wirelessly communicates to luminaires Rename and identify location of each luminaire Customise lighting programmes for individual or groups of stables Emergency override switch for white light at night Four digit security pin 10
For more information visit: www.equilume.com e: info@equilume.com Ireland: +353 45 40 7040 UK: 0800 0148159 USA: 1800 242 9259 Australia: 1800 189 693 New Zealand: 0800 002 607