Small Business Q&A: Dr Barbara Murphy from Equilume

Kehlan talks to Dr Barbara Murphy from Equilume for this week’s Q&A. Equilume has developed a unique technology that allows the reproductive cycle of a mare to be altered and provide for healthier foals.

What is Equilume?

Equilume is a very new innovation in reproductive technology for horses. Basically, it is a headpiece that horses wear which contains a soft blue flashing light which is directed into one eye of the mare. It begins at dusk and then shuts itself off around 11pm. The reason for this is that for the mare to be in the reproductive cycle they need long days of light and lush green grass. This combination, believe it or not, actually affects the periods of reproduction. So, this means that from December onwards they can be left outside to run and graze or do as they please, because with our device they will be ready in February which is when the breeders are looking for them.

What is different with this method as opposed to normally used ones?

Well, the alternative and traditional way is leaving the mare in stable with a light on overhead until 11pm. This can cost a lot of money and particularly for people who have lots of horses it means bedding costs and labour to look after them, as well. So, they’re really better off outside and that is the niche that we fall into.

Are we talking about an LED light or a UV light?

The first problem we needed to solve was how much light they needed. I noticed that some mares only have one eye because of injury or disease and yet they’re reproductive cycle was unchanged.

The light flowing to one eye was still enough to kick-start the cycle. So, we figured that if we provided the right intensity of LED light to a single eye, that horse could see perfectly well out of its other eye. We wanted to use LEDs, as they are very efficient energy-wise and blue light is shortwave length light which is similar to the light at dawn and dusk. We also use a diffuser over the lights to give a glow to the horse’s eye and not an intense burst of light. So effectively we are, in the mares mind at least, exposing her to a longer day.

What does the future hold for you?

We’re just back from travelling to some shows around the US and received some great feedback. Enterprise Ireland has been a great investor in us and 2015 holds some very busy, but very exciting, times for us. This product is providing the industry with a real problem-solving piece of technology.