The Equine Functional Posture Podcast

  Before we chat this week.. are you ready to take this knowledge into practice yet? The next EQ100 Equine Bodyworker Certification starts March 24th, Guyra NSW.Register at Equinology Australia or Email: equinologyoffice@gmail.com  Episode 70: The Mare Matters: Posture, Health, and the Developing Foal As this time of year in the southern hemisphere is foal season we are talking about awareness, responsibility, and practical considerations for supporting broodmares as whole, functional bodies. for their own wellbeing and for the long-term health of the foals they carry. We discuss:  The impact of broodmare nutrition, including evidence linking overnutrition and obesity to altered metabolic health in foals Broodmare challenges including previous injuries, asymmetry, pain and lumbosacropelvic dysfunction How reduced movement, housing and post-foaling management can affect recovery  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?   Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

Learning information is valuable… but real change happens when you’re supported in applying it. If you want to confidently read your horse’s posture, connect the dots, and then actually influence how they move for the better - enrollment is now open for the  Equine Functional Posture Course. It’s the first program globally to combine comprehensive posture education with practical exercises that can target the whole body or specific areas and get personalised feedback from Dr. Raquel, so you don’t just learn some new information- you see real, visible change in your horse. Episode 68: Carrot Mobilisations  The aim of ground or static exercises is improved movement, comfort and function. Carrot stretches are one of the most recommended ground exercises by bodyworkers and trainers to their clients - we break down what makes a stretch effective so you aren't wasting your time! Simple on the surface, incredibly valuable when done well… surprisingly easy to get wrong! We discuss:  Common mistakes we see in practice; from snatching to leaning to twisting  What’s happening anatomically, and how spinal alignment (and what that even is!) is key How improvement in your ridden work depends on the quality not quantity of your stretch  Please - if you do carrot stretches or will in the future - do your horse a favour and have a listen!    To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

Just before we jump in today: a quick note: We have a FREE Posture & Behaviour Masterclass on the 18th of January at 8am - Sign up here!  Episode 68: Ear Twitching In this episode we look at why ear twitching is problematic, and importantly- the alternatives that exist for safe, ethical restraint and cooperative care. Why ear twitching is used: common contexts like husbandry, emergencies, and when behaviour escalates before proper training has been established. The Anatomy: Cartilage, cranial nerves, fine musculature, fascial connections, tympanohyoid joint, and how easily this region is damaged (espescially in foals). Functional & behavioural consequences: Including nerve irritation, altered ear movement, poll/TMJ tension, myodural involvement, aversive behaviours, head shyness. Better Alternatives: training & habituation, sedation when appropriate, foal control techniques, making reasonable accommodations, and understanding the underlying “why” behind resistance.   🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?   Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends. A 5-star rating helps us continue creating education that makes a real difference for horses around the world! Episode 67: The Power of the Breath In this episode, we explore how breath affects the whole body, from posture and performance to nervous system regulation and long-term health. Why breathing is a key health indicator and one of the vital signs we should be observing at rest and during work How the respiratory system, diaphragm, ribs, spine, and core are deeply connected to posture and movement The unique way horses breathe, including locomotor–respiratory coupling in canter, gallop, and jumping What breathing patterns can tell us about brace, relaxation, fitness, and parasympathetic nervous system function We also share simple observational and ridden breathing exercises you can use to better understand your horse’s body, identify restriction, and support more relaxed, functional movement.

If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends. A 5-star rating helps us continue creating education that makes a real difference for horses around the world! Episode 66: The Liberty Connection  In this episode we explore the importance of observing posture during liberty work so we support both the horse’s physical wellbeing and their mind body connection. Our aim is to invite you to reflect on why you do liberty, what it means to you, and what true liberty means to the horse. What “freedom” really means for the horse, and how liberty can still ask for physically inappropriate work if posture is overlooked Using liberty, target training, and play to enhance body awareness without losing the horse to treats, pressure, or distraction Key postural considerations for tricks and movements like rearing, piaffe, spanish walk and obstacles 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends. A 5-star rating helps us continue creating education that makes a real difference for horses around the world! Episode 65: The Elbow The equine elbow is one of the most overlooked joints in performance horses, yet it plays a very important role in weight-bearing, stability, and efficiency. In this episode, we explore why elbow dysfunction is relevant for all ridden horse's at some point, why it is often missed in diagnostics, and how posture and limb loading influence elbow health. In this episode, we unpack: Why the elbow is frequently under-recognised as a source of lameness The anatomy and biomechanics of the equine elbow, including key muscles, ligaments, nerves, and its role in the stay apparatus How posture, hoof balance, thoracic sling function, and shoulder stability influence elbow loading Common elbow pathologies, diagnostic challenges, and practical management strategies to support long-term joint health and soundness 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends. A 5-star rating helps us continue creating education that makes a real difference for horses around the world! Episode 64: Learnings from Equine Dissections Not all dysfunction shows up in ways we can image. Many of the postural, biomechanical, and structural limitations that influence movement, behaviour, and comfort live deeper in the body. Dissections are powerful ways we can changehow we see the internal body - where bone, fascia, soft tissues, posture and internal structures all interact. In this week’s podcast, we unpack: What radiographs can and cannot tell us about function Structural and anatomical findings that shape posture, movement, and behaviour The importance of fascia, internal structures, and their biomechanical influence Why “nothing on imaging” doesn’t always mean “nothing is wrong” 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends. A 5-star rating helps us continue creating education that makes a real difference for horses around the world! Episode 63: Foal Handing Part II Foals are precocious, yet neurologically immature. They adapt quickly, but their learning is heavily shaped by how their early experiences are introduced. While they need space to grow and be horses, they also live in a human world and how we approach handling in these early months will influence their posture, emotional responses, and willingness to learn for life. We go over 3 main area's of foal handling and how to do them with respect to the foal : introducing pressure, leading and leg/hoof handling. In this week’s podcast, we unpack: Why foals are true blank slates and how easily accidental habits can be created How to Introducing pressure, environments, and new experiences without flooding How to start handling legs and feet for balance, relaxation and successful trims How to begin leading - thinking forward and avoiding brace and pulling back 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends. A 5-star rating helps us continue creating education that makes a real difference for horses around the world! Episode 62: Foal Handing Part I Early foal handling shapes far more than behaviour- it influences posture, learning ability, confidence, emotional experiences. The way we introduce touch, haltering, leading, and handling feet has long-lasting effects on both biomechanics and emotional wellbeing. In this week’s podcast, we unpack: Why posture, conformation, behaviour, and learning cannot be separated Introducing touch, pressure, and proximity with intention and sensitivity How haltering and leading affect growth plates, balance, and future movement How we handle feet is formative for balance, body awareness, and relaxation 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends. A 5-star rating helps us continue creating education that makes a real difference for horses around the world! Episode 61: Intentional Postural Rehabilitation  Intentional postural rehabilitation is more than just doing the exercises, it’s how we do them. It means to do with presence, curiosity, awareness, and connection. When we approach rehab consciously, we elevate both the physical outcomes and the emotional relationship with our horse. In this week’s podcast, we unpack: • What it means to be intentional: awareness, presence, and clarity • How execution can be the difference that makes all the difference  • Using curiosity, observation, and conversation to guide the horse • How intentional rehab improves outcomes, body awareness, and relationship 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends. A 5-star rating helps us continue creating education that makes a real difference for horses around the world! Episode 60: The Story of Compensation Compensation is one of the most powerful clues a horse gives us about what their body is dealing with. Whether it’s pain, imbalance, instability, or simply an adaptation that once helped but now hinders. In this episode, we explore how compensation patterns form, how they evolve over time, and why understanding them is essential for effective bodywork, posture rehabilitation, and long-term soundness. Here’s what we cover: What compensation is and how primary issues create normalised patterns of movement for protection, stability, and comfort. Types of compensation patterns: functional vs dysfunctional, transient vs established, isolated vs whole-body, and why they’re such an important diagnostic puzzle. What happens when we release compensation, the “fall-apart” phase, why deeper issues emerge, and the role of muscle activation, targeted rehab, and taping. When to release vs when to leave compensation in place, and how teamwork, timing, and owner skill determine successful long-term outcomes. 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends A 5-star rating helps us continue creating education that makes a real difference for horses around the world! Episode 59: Joint Injections - Good, Bad or Necessary?  Joint injections are a commonly used pharmaceutical approach to managing equine joints. While they can bring comfort and reduce inflammation, they’re not a long-term solution on their own. We discuss why comfort stemming from sustainable movement is different to masking the symptoms of joint changes.   In this week’s podcast, we unpack: Different kinds of equine joint injections, how they work and associated risks  How joint injections can be a valuable tool but are not a complete management plan Why we need to look at the biomechanics creating stress on the affected joint The rationle behind a change in posture and function for long-term improvement  🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

Today is very last day to join the Equine Functional Posture course! Tried it all and know you want real change? Decided your horse has room for improvement and want to get it right the first time?  Join us for this foundation course that WILL change how you help you horse!  Episode 58: The Equine Stifle fun fact: Did you know a horse’s “knee” is actually their wrist and their true knee (the stifle) is the equivalent of our knee? The stifle plays a massive role in posture, stability, and energy efficiency but when it starts to lock, slip or clunk, or joint changes begin to show- the problem often lies in the soft tissues of the body and the horse's posture! In this week’s podcast, we unpack: The anatomy, motion and locking mechanism of the stifle How posture and pelvic angle affect stifle alignment and therefore stability Current stifle diagnostic methods and their value in the rehab plan  Supportive approaches including diet, core strength, hoof alignment and rehab  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

The doors to the Equine Functional Posture course are open now! Tried it all and know you want real change?  Join us for this foundation course that WILL change how you help you horse!  Episode 57: The Belly Lift Belly lifts are one of the most common equine exercises but refining this exercise, and using it well make all the difference.Even if you've done 1000 belly lifts in your lifetime - we guarantee you'll learn something in this episode! In this episode, we explore: The fascial and muscular structures that influence thoracic lift and core activation How to distinguish a correct, functional lift from tension or avoidance What an absent or uneven lift can indicate about spinal, rib, or core dysfunction How to use belly lifts as a diagnostic and postural re-education tool  not just a reflex test  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you would like to explore the relationship between Posture and Behaviour - Join Raquel in her FREE Masterclass - Is Your Horse Misbehaving Or Communicating?   Register Here - https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com/pbmc-oct25 Episode 56: Bolting & the posture connection Bolting can be one of the most alarming vices. Today we talk about  connection between functional posture, biomechanics, and the nervous system that underlies bolting. We explore: What’s the difference between bolting and rushing? How loss of postural integrity and proprioception fuels panic and reactivity The biomechanics of the flight response and how it manifests in the body Why rebuilding safety and stability through functional posture changes how a horse experiences the world Underlying causes of bolting, including nerve pain and Equine Vertebral Malformations.  🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you would like to explore the relationship between Posture and Behaviour - Join Raquel in her FREE Masterclass - Is Your Horse Misbehaving Or Communicating?   Register Here - https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com/pbmc-oct25 Episode 55: The Canter (Listener Request) Chances are you’ve had trouble with the canter at some point. In this episodewe unpack what the canter reveals about posture, strength, and balance - and how you see this is their behaiour during the canter. From the biomechanics of the lumbosacropelvic complex to the iliopsoas, thoracic sling, and core engagement, you’ll learn why the canter is the ultimate test of integration. We also explore common behaviours that show up when the canter is poor: bucking, tension, reluctance- and how bodywork and mindful training restore balance and confidence. 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating so we can continue to impact the world for the horse!! Episode 54: Postural Insights for Minis & Shetlands Thankyou Belinda for requesting this weeks episode! We’re talking all things Minis and Shetlands, and because these little horses are so much more than paddock ornaments. Their unique challenges include dental and metabolic issues, upright feet, limb deviations, and stifle/hip concerns. We talk about: Why small horses often become “head heavy” and what that means biomechanically How ill-fitting tack (especially saddle's!) and heavy manes can affect their posture How to improve posture through hoof balance, variable feeding positions, and enough movement   🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating so we can continue to impact the world for the horse!! Episode 52: Training vs Conditioning Training and conditioning often get blurred together, but they’re very different — and both matter. In this episode we break down what each really means, why your horse needs both, and how to find the right balance when working with your horse. In this episode, you’ll learn: The true difference between training (mind, skills, behaviour) and conditioning ( fitness, strength) How training improves safety, confidence, and communication How conditioning builds strength, endurance, and injury resistance The timelines of adaptation for muscles, bones, and fitness Why combining both creates the most willing, capable, and healthy horse In this episode, you’ll learn:   🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating so we can continue to impact the world for the horse!! Episode 54: Timeline's vs Agenda's We all have goals and desires for our horses, but sometimes our agenda doesn’t match the realistic timeline our horse needs. In this episode we explore how to balance expectations, adapt to life’s challenges, and honour your horse’s journey. It’s about recognising progress, and learning to set both yourself and your horse up for success - as well as celebrating and accepting where you are in your journey In this episode, you’ll learn: How to recognise the difference between your agenda and your horse’s timeline Life factors that add pressure - money, ambition, environment, and the unpredictable The role of rider challenges, horse individuality, and life factors Practical strategies to create appropriate timelines How self-growth and flexibility help you show up better for your horse 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

 If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating so we can continue to impact the world for the horse!! Episode  51: Observing the Trot Observing and evaluating your horse's trot is a useful skill to observe soundness and posture. In this episode we explain what to look for when assessing your horse’s trot, both ridden and unridden. We’ll also explore: The role of the core, back, and neck in creating lightness and suspension How scapula and pelvic motion influence stride length and balance Signs of a poor trot, including having a braced neck Key observations when travelling in straight lines vs circles  Key takeaways: focus on head and neck position, spine stability, and pelvic motion to distinguish between a horse moving with ease versus one compensating under tension. 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next  Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind.  To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics@gmail.com.au To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg  Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com