Don’t be SAD
For those who are familiar with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) will be aware that the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder in people include difficulty in concentrating, diminished productivity, fatigue, feeling depressed or sad, irritability, lethargy and withdrawal from social activities. Independent studies have shown that horses do indeed suffer from SAD and are just as susceptible to the reduction in daylight as humans are.
This daily cycle of darkness and light is known as the Circadian Rhythm (body clock) and influences many of the body’s biological activities and seasonal cycles. Regulating melatonin achieves the huge benefits from this therapy.
Red Light Function
Red light therapy has been proven to support recovery and help the body relax before sleep by signaling nighttime and stimulating melatonin production.
The HorseLight Advanced system includes the option to automatically switch to red during the ‘off’ phase, controlled by the system. This red light provides enough illumination for nighttime observation, making it ideal for foaling or checking on horses after late arrivals from competitions or races without disturbing others.
Light Therapy
By using artificial light to mimic longer days, we can adjust the equinox and alter the Circadian Rhythm, allowing broodmares to begin cycling earlier. Light therapy, which starts 90 days before the expected foaling date and continues until the mare is confirmed in foal, plays a key role in this process.
The link between coat shedding, daylight duration, and light intensity has been well documented in various studies. One of the earlier studies, conducted by Texas A&M University in the 1980s, compared the effects of extended versus natural day lengths on coat growth. In this study, 16 yearling and 2-year-old horses were randomly assigned to either a natural daylight group or an extended daylight group, where they received 16 hours of light per day. Results showed that horses exposed to extended daylight experienced significantly slower coat growth compared to those in the natural light group.
We now know that the best coat maintenance occurs when light therapy is combined with the use of rugs to manage the winter coat. For performance horses, light therapy should begin before mid-July to maintain the summer coat into autumn, and around 8 weeks of therapy is needed to encourage earlier shedding in the spring.
Why Use HorseLight to Regulate Melatonin?
It’s widely known that melatonin production in both humans and animals is suppressed by blue light in the 465 nm spectrum, with an intensity of 120 lux needed to achieve this effect. Many performance and leisure horses are kept stabled year-round, often in environments where daytime light levels are too low to fully stop melatonin production, even during summer months. This can disrupt their natural Circadian Rhythm and limit their ability to perform at their best.
HorseLight is designed to automatically switch on at set times each morning, ensuring that the light levels in each stable are sufficient to suppress melatonin throughout the day. Unlike standard LED, fluorescent, or other lighting types, HorseLight is specifically developed to deliver the precise type and intensity of light that mimics natural summer daylight.
HorseLight luminaires, which are 50-inch linear lights, provide optimal lighting across all areas of the stable or barn, ensuring a well-lit environment across all areas of the stable or barn. The system’s timer and control unit regulate the lighting schedule, offering the correct balance of light and darkness to maintain the horse’s natural Circadian Rhythm and enhance overall biological performance.
Case Report
Exposure to white light at night can suppress melatonin production, disrupt circadian rhythms, and contribute to health issues in humans, as interactions with horses often occur during nighttime hours.
Studies indicate that dim red light does not suppress the rise in serum melatonin levels in horses. In one study, six horses were kept under two lighting conditions—red light (5 lux, peak wavelength 625 nm) and dark (<0.5 lux)—for consecutive 48-hour periods. Transitions between light and red light or dark aligned with ambient sunset and sunrise times.
Blood samples were collected every two hours for 24 hours during each treatment through indwelling jugular catheters. These samples were stored at -20°C and analyzed for melatonin levels using radioimmunoassay. Statistical analyses, including repeated measures two-way ANOVA and t-tests, revealed no significant interaction or effect of treatment on serum melatonin levels (P>0.05). A strong time effect (P<0.0001) was observed, with melatonin levels increasing at night under both treatments. No significant differences were found between red light and dark conditions in terms of circadian rhythm measures such as nighttime peak, area under the curve (AUC), onset, offset, or peak duration. The study concluded that low-intensity red light at night does not affect melatonin secretion patterns and is therefore unlikely to influence circadian or seasonal regulation.
Benefits:
Results Observed in All Stabled Horses:
- Enhanced daytime alertness and improved sleep patterns
- Maintains summer coat and body condition longer, promoting better feed conversion to muscle mass, reducing the amount of feed needed
- Studies and owner feedback indicate stabled horses appear happier, more relaxed, and show fewer stable vices like box walking, cribbing, and weaving
- Decreased bacterial and fungal pathogens, resulting in better respiratory health and fewer cases of contagious fungal diseases
HorseLight for Performance
Performance horses often spend more time in stables than outdoors, especially during summer due to training and competitions. In some cases, turnout isn’t possible because of injury, illness, or limited space.
By installing HorseLight, your horse will benefit from a wide range of health advantages:
- Improved feed conversion: Horses show increased condition and muscle mass. Owners have reported feeding less hard feed as nutrient absorption is significantly higher compared to horses stabled without HorseLight, resulting in feed cost savings.
- Enhanced vitamin D and calcium absorption: HorseLight helps stabled horses get essential Vitamin D, vital for calcium absorption. Without this, horses may suffer from conditions like tying up, skin, and coat issues.
- Extended summer coat: Horses maintain a summer coat well into late autumn, leading to a less dense winter coat, reducing the need for frequent clipping.
HorseLight for Breeding
Research has long confirmed that introducing light during winter months can bring mares into season sooner. Horses, being “long-day breeders,” naturally respond to the increasing daylight of early spring to activate their breeding cycles.
With advanced technology, we can now fine-tune specific light spectrums and intensities throughout the year to enhance biological performance.
- Mares enter season earlier, with stronger signals and a more consistent ovulation pattern.
- Stallions develop reproductive capacity sooner.
- Competition mares used for embryo transfer benefit from an earlier breeding season.
- Supports the production of earlier foals.
- The red night light provides an observation light during foaling.
Source – Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.