Equilume ‘Light Mask’ for Horses : The Science Squad
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English

Originally released by Network Ireland Television, 2015.

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The thoroughbred breeding industry operates within confines of very tight breeding and racing calendar. Breeders try to produce foals as close to January 1st as possible and currently, they artificially advance the mares' breeding cycle by keeping them indoors under lights for approx 12 weeks from December. Barbara Murphy, head of UCD spinout company Equilume has developed a light mask that consists of tiny blue LED lights set into one of the eye cups of a pair of conventional blinkers routinely worn by horses. The battery-operated light operates at low-level intensity over a timed period. This limits the level of the hormone melatonin which is usually produced in darkness and inhibits the mare's reproductive activity during winter months.

9 - 12, Academic/AP

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