Q&A With Lucile Vigouroux, MSc, Owner And Practitioner At ProPulsion Equine PEMF
How long have you been working in the equine industry?
Like most horse people, I grew up 'working' in the horse industry! My first working student position was 14 years ago, in California. I've been out of graduate school and practicing as a professional for about four years now.
What is Equine PEMF?
PEMF stands for pulsed electromagnetic field. PEMF therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free wellness modality that's widely used in the equine industry. Common brand names include MagnaWave and Pulse. We believe that PEMF positively affects the body at a cellular level. It may influence the cell’s ability to take in oxygen and energy and get rid of waste products, effectively enhancing cellular metabolism and function. If the individual cells are functioning and repairing themselves at their best possible ability, the entire organism (the horse) is in a position to also perform and recover optimally. Equestrians use PEMF to help keep their horses feeling and performing their best, recover from an injury, or prevent overuse and fatigue injuries in the first place. Like most other types of bodywork, it's a routine maintenance modality rather than a one-time fix.
How did you learn about PEMF for horses?
PEMF is mostly unregulated in the US, with the exception of a few states. This means anyone can buy a machine and start a business without specific education, training, or licensing. I learned about PEMF by getting certified through MagnaWave, PEMF Complete, and the Association of PEMF Professionals (AOPP). All are great resources to get you started, but I really learned how to be a safe, effective equine PEMF practitioner by first pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees in equine science, and earning my equine veterinary assistant certification through the American Association of Veterinary Technicians (AAEVT).
Do you offer other equine services in addition to PEMF?
In addition to PEMF, ProPulsion Equine also offers kinesiology taping (KT) and red light therapy (RLT) to horses. All three are drug-free, non-invasive wellness modalities that work really well together. We've found that they maximize and prolong each other's benefits, and routinely integrate both RLT and KT into our equine PEMF sessions.
What are your future goals for ProPulsion Equine PEMF?
We are currently hiring our fourth team member, so that's very much an 'immediate future' plan! I'm lucky to say that we have been steadily growing and expanding since first opening our doors in 2020 and helping more and more horses each year. It's truly a dream job for someone passionate about horses and science. In the future, I'd love to be based in Florida for the winter season. I currently travel back and forth, on one big loop between NY, NJ, CT, Wellington, and Florida for five months of the year. It's a lot of fun getting to see all of our lovely clients, but it would be nice to have a team that stays up north year-round and a team (aka me) that can be based in the Sunshine State for the winter.
Do you have any horses of your own?
My best friend of seven years, Claire, was with me until her passing in November 2022. She was assigned to be my 'care horse' on my first day of college at Centenary University in 2015. I immediately fell in love and adopted her the minute I graduated. She was a Westphalian mare and the sweetest horse I've ever met.
Where is your business located and what areas do you serve?
ProPulsion Equine is based in Dutchess County, New York. My team and I serve most of the Hudson Valley, along with western Connecticut, central New Jersey, and Florida (Wellington and Ocala) in the winter. We do have clients in NYC as well, as far south as Brooklyn! We also travel to horse shows, including Saugerties and Saratoga.
Do you have any hobbies you enjoy doing outside of your business?
Not sure if it could be considered a 'hobby’, but I have a second, much smaller horse business. It's freelance equine healthcare journalism. I interview veterinarians and scientists to write articles that make new research about horse care accessible to horse owners. You can find my work in publications like The Horse Magazine, My New Horse, EQUUS Magazine, and on PetMD and Chewy's websites. I'm also big into gravel biking, and just a couple of weeks ago, I rode my bike to Niagara Falls in Canada, on a multi-day biking trip! I'm originally from France and my parents and siblings have lived in Mexico for the past five years, so travel is also a big part of my life.
What is the best way to contact you?
Contact Information:
(845)-218-1927
Instagram: @propulsionequinepemf
Facebook: ProPulsion Equine PEMF, LLC
Lucile Vigouroux, MSc
Lucile Vigouroux founded ProPulsion Equine in 2020 after graduating with a Master’s degree in Equine Performance, Health, and Welfare from NTU in England. From day one, her motivation to create ProPulsion Equine has been fueled by her desire to help equine athletes feel and perform at their very best.
Article from the July issue of Equine Business Magazine
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