Karen Elizabeth Baril’s article here provides an in-depth follow-up to a July 2025 post <Link>. She focuses on circadian rhythms which affect every cell in the horse’s body. Modern management routines and competition schedules play havoc with lighting and can disrupt a horse’s circadian rhythm and may contribute to undesirable behaviors.
Baril’s circadian-friendly management tips provide sound education to share with horse owner clients.
Key insights on how different wavelengths affect equine circadian rhythms:
- Blue light is most disruptive to sleep patterns
- Red light is safest for nighttime use in stables
- Natural sunlight contains the full spectrum for healthy rhythms
- Artificial lighting should mimic natural daily changes
Source: EQUUS, February 2026. Link.
Horses are much more sensitive to light disruptions than are humans. Abrupt exposure to light at night . . . it is now believed that these seemingly innocuous disruptions in hormone levels play havoc with the circadian regulation in the horse.” – Barbara Murphy, BScEq, PhD, GDipUTL
Image: Link.
Leave a Reply