Light is provided within stables today using incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tube lighting. Unlike traditional lighting, Equilux uses specialised light that is enriched in the blue spectrum. Biologically this type of light most closely mimics natural daylight and provides a multitude of benefits to the modern equine.
Specifically designed to replicate our natural world within a stable or American Barn, Equilux has been conceived and engineered to meet both the practical as well as the commercial needs of the Sport Horse industry, Eventers, Show Jumpers, Dressage Riders and breeders.
Red Nights:
Horses require their REM sleep, it is critical to their ability to perform to their optimum.
Invisible to the horse’s circadian system, Equilux uses right light. It therefore does not disrupt the equines internal rhythms.
Research trials have shown that the levels of the circadian regulated hormone, melatonin, rise at night under the care of the Equilux red light similar to darkness.
As horse owners, many of us check our horses at late stables during their resting time. With red light it allows us to monitor, feed, change rugs or do whatever our routine requires whilst avoiding the negative consequences of switching on traditional lighting and introducing white light onto the yard.
Equilux transitions incrementally from bright daylight, emulating dusk into dim red night light.
Broad spectrum, Blue enriched white light:
Equilux uses a customised spectral composition, that is specifically designed to peak within the blue light wavelength which is known to stabilise and strengthen the circadian rhythms in the horse.
Unlike incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tube lighting, the Equilux system uses light that is enriched in the blue spectrum. This biologically effective light most closely mimics natural daylight.
Natural Dawn and Dusk:
In our natural environment, dawn and dusk are gradual increases or decreases in light. Equilux is no different, the system gradually dims up or down allowing our horses to experience the gradual rise and fall of the intensity of light.
Using this feature we eliminate the stress response that is induced by rapid and abrupt changes between light and dark. Mimicing the gradual transition of the natural world, Equilux dawn breaks gradually and dusk fades into night.
Astronomical Timing System:
With clients all over the world, Equilux is delivered pre-programmed. No matter where you are in the world, the sunrise and sunset times are already configured.
By simply entering your GPS location, the system immediately knows where you are and will simulate dawn and dusk at a pre-set time. Dawn on your yard will be earlier than the natural dawn and dusk will be later, providing your horses with an extended day length that gradually increases or decreases in line with the seasons.
In winter your horses will benefit from a day length of 10 to 12 hours to assist in the workings of a busy yard. In Summer a maximum day length of 15 to 17 hours makes sure that all your horses receive ample night time rest.
The Equilux ‘Astro’ system is unique in allowing your horses to experience a shorter, 10 week, winter photoperiod and a much longer 42 week summer photoperiod. In other words, Spring is brought forward and autumn is delayed. Horses benefit by extending their period of peak physical performance and their capacity to train.