Long story short
In May of 2024, after being burned out over and over again by a career in advertising, I was laid off for what I decided would be the last time. I realized this was my opportunity to take a chance on myself, and tap into the feral, horse girl side of me that had been compartmentalized by social propriety for most of my adult life.
I’d been learning about bodywork thanks to my own horse, so I spent my severance on a PEMF machine and Performance Equine Maintenance was launched. Six months later, I completed my equine bodywork case studies and began practicing the acupressure, massage, posture work, stretching, PEMF, and red light therapy combination that I offer today.
click here for long story long.
education and creds
EQ 50 - Equine Anatomy, 2024
EQ 100 - Equine Bodywork, Woodbine, MD 2024
MagnaWave
Certified PEMF Practitioner, 2024
grounds for maintenance
Performance.
A regular bodywork routine can reduce muscle tension, soreness, and stiffness. Massage, stretching, and acupressure can increase range of motion, flexibility, and stamina, and leads to better coordination, agility, and gait quality, allowing your horse to move more freely and efficiently during training and competition.
In other words, faster turns, a more relaxed dressage test (hopefully), fewer rails down, reduced recovery time, and less time lost to injuries.
Peace of Mind.
Bodywork helps horses relax and release tension, leading to a calmer and more willing disposition, and can address physical discomfort that may be misinterpreted as bad behavior.
(Most clients tell me that their horses seem happier and more enthusiastic about work).
And finally, the bottom line:
Bodywork can help prevent injuries by addressing minor issues before they worsen, and supports healing for existing soft tissue injuries. Massage promotes blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients while helping to remove toxins and waste products from the muscles, A session including palpation, massage, and PEMF can provide an assessment of you'r horse's condition and identify problem areas before they become serious injuries. and in the case of an injury, can help aid recovery.
Your veterinarian and your horse will thank you.
WHat clients say
Performance Equine Maintenance is a key component of my program for keeping my upper-level horses sound and feeling their best. Advanced horses have rigorous schedules, and it is so nice to know that Erna is as committed to them as I am: she always makes time around our busy schedule to treat them, follows up after events, and is instrumental in identifying changes to their appearance and bodies, helping me keep them competing comfortably. In addition, the horses love her! I’m proud to have her as a part of my team.
— Taren Hoffos, FEI 4* EventerI highly recommend Erna! She worked on my FEI dressage and eventing horse prior to a competition at the I1 level, and the difference was very noticeable. He felt incredibly relaxed through his back and went on to earn his highest score at that level later that week. He typically has a more difficult trot early in the ride, but I was able to sit his trot with ease after her bodywork.
Beyond competition prep, Erna has cared for my horses faithfully after my own accident on a young horse this past summer, ensuring they stayed comfortable in their bodies and happy in their work while being ridden by others in my absence. She is thoughtful, patient, and deeply attentive to each horse she works on. Don’t be surprised if your horse is nearly asleep by the time she’s finished: her bodywork truly speaks for itself.”
— Grace Walker, FEI Dressage and EventingErna’s combination approach of equine bodywork and PEMF has completely transformed my dressage competition horses. From the very first appointment, I noticed a visible difference in my horse’s comfort, movement, and overall attitude.
One of my horses has particularly tight shoulders which get tenser as he builds muscle, and Erna has been a major piece in keeping his body relaxed as he develops physically. Through Erna's educated and detailed work, my horses areas of tension softened, stride length and reach improved, and they were noticeably more relaxed and willing under saddle. The care, knowledge, and attention to detail Erna pays truly sets her work apart from others in her field. PEMF combined with bodywork has made a huge difference in my horse’s recovery, performance, and well-being. I cannot reccomend Erna at Performance Equine Maintenance enough to anyone who wants their horse feeling and performing at their best!
-Emme Chisholm, FEI Young Rider, Dressage”
Services:
Custom Bodywork / Massage
PEMF | Red LIght Therapy
Rates:
Ramona and Poway $120 / session
3+ Horses: $95 each
San Diego County $150 / session
3+ Horses: $125 each
