The Equine Functional Posture Podcast

Dr. Raquel Butler & Sophie Vandenberg

This podcast is created by Dr. Raquel Butler from Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics and Sophie Vandenberg from Equine Posturelate. Dr. Raquel is a Biomechanical Medicine Veterinarian and Educator. Sophie is an Equine Science graduate and has studied Equine Osteopathy. This podcast is your ultimate source for insights into the influences of functional posture on biomechanics, health and overall well-being of horses . Tune in each week as we discuss practical tips, delve into expert interviews and explore the latest research in the impact of static and dynamic posture on your horse journey. To Learn more about Dr Raquel visit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegratedVetherapeutics Website: https://integratedvettherapeutics.mykajabi.com/about To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091267906532 Join our community of proactive horse people exploring the world of equine functional posture - our next course begins November 2024!! To view the course visit: https://integratedvettherapeutics.mykajabi.com/store Have any questions? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

  1. Episode 80: Guest Trisha Mccagh - What Horses Really Think

    5 DAYS AGO

    Episode 80: Guest Trisha Mccagh - What Horses Really Think

    Episode 80: Guest Animal Communicator Trisha McCagh - What Horses Really Think Trisha McCagh is a world renowned Animal Communicator  - she has communicated with almost all animals you can think of and has so many amazing stories as well as being recommended by Veterinarians! Today we discuss the profound communication between humans and horses. Discover how animals reflect our purpose, teach us about authenticity, and share their wisdom through subtle behaviors and telepathic connection. This conversation goes far beyond the idea of animals simply “behaving” or “misbehaving”. Trisha shares her perspective on animals as deeply aware beings who are constantly observing us, responding to our intentions, and communicating through emotion, behaviour, energy, and relationship. In this episode, we cover: How animals may communicate about purpose, relationship, and what they are here to teach us including simplicity, fun, authenticity, and presence Why horses may respond differently when relationship comes before performance and the importance of spending time with your horse with no expectation or agenda How labelling horses can interfere with understanding their behaviour Why communication, trust, and cooperative care matter in handling and treatment If you have ever wondered whether animals are trying to tell us more than we realise, or how to build a quieter, more honest relationship with your horse, Trisha's knowledge will help you achieve just that. You can find out more about Trisha McCagh at: ~  https://animaltalk.com.au/ ~ Animal Talk Podcast With Trisha McCagh

    1hr 14min

  2. 29 MAR

    Episode 79: Rehabilitating Tendon Injuries

    Rehabilitating Tendon Injuries  Tendon injuries can be one of the more frustrating and drawn-out issues to navigate. Many horse owners are given a basic plan of confinement and gradual turnout, but true rehabilitation needs far more. Today we unpack tendon rehabilitation from a whole-body perspective, including why these injuries happen, how posture and loading patterns influence healing, and why the quality of the rehab plan matters just as much as the diagnosis itself. Our most important takeaway - the tendon is usually not the primary issue! In this episode, we discuss: Why a proper disagnosis and injury grading from the beginning is important and how this information influences your rehabilitation plan depending on the type: tendon, ligament, sheath, and strain injuries Why tendon injuries are often not just a local problem, but part of a bigger picture involving posture, hoof balance, thoracic sling function, pelvic mechanics, and overall limb loading How controlled movement, targeted exercises, appropriate tools, and structured progression can support better healing, reduce scar tissue, and lower the risk of re-injury   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

    34 min

  3. 22 MAR

    Episode 78: Reading Sacro-Pelvic Alignment (Before you blame conformation…)

    Ready to create lasting change for your horse? Join the Equine Functional Posture course: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com/efp Reading Sacro-pelvic Alignment (Before you blame conformation…) The lumbosacropelvic area is one of the key regions involved in propulsion, swing, and hind end function, but it is also an area that is often mis-interpreted In this episode, we unpack how to begin reading sacro-pelvic alignment, what a more neutral and functional pelvis looks like, and why posture is so often mistaken for conformation. In this episode, we discuss: Why posture and conformation are not the same thing What a more neutral and functional pelvic alignment looks like How to observe sacro-pelvic inclination from the side when the horse is standing square What a more flexed or “tucked” pelvis may mean for stride length and propulsion What a flatter or more extended lumbosacral posture may tell you about engagement and swing Practical ways to support healthier pelvic function through movement variety, hoof care, posture, and bodywork  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

    39 min
  4. Episode 77: The Pendulous Belly: Why Your Gelding Gets Mistaken For A Broodmare!

    16 MAR

    Episode 77: The Pendulous Belly: Why Your Gelding Gets Mistaken For A Broodmare!

    A quick note about a breakthrough educational session: FREE Posture & Behaviour Masterclass - Is Your Horse Misbehaving OR Communicating? Discover the hidden physcial issues behind 5 common "behavioural" problems - and how to solve them.  Register now - Choose your time below; Wednesday 18th March 8am Aus Daylight Time (Syd/Melb) -  Tuesday 17th 5pm EST, 2pm PST, 9pm GMT, 10pm CET  Wednesday 18th March 8pm Aus Daylight Time (Syd/Melb) - Wednesday 19th 2am PST, 5am EST, 9am GMT, 10am CET  The Pendulous Belly We have all mistaken a very not-pregnant horse for one who looks ready to pop out a foal! A low, wide and swinging belly is something many horse owners notice, but often brush off as a 'hay belly', excess fat, or lack of fitness. Today we unpack what it can reflect about your horse’s core function, posture, movement, and internal health. We also explain actionable ways to support better abdominal function through movement, feeding, training - so your horse can look like a beach babe!  In this episode, we discuss: Common contributing factors including age, weakness, nutrition, parasites, metabolic issues, abdominal strain, tack fit, and post-partum changes How your horse's living environment is the best way to keep their internal and external belly feeling good  How the movement and eating habits of wild horses have informed some of our best pathways to maintaining core function and strength   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

    42 min
  5. Episode 76: Lunging - Yes or No?

    8 MAR

    Episode 76: Lunging - Yes or No?

    A quick note about a breakthrough educational session: FREE Posture & Behaviour Masterclass - Is Your Horse Misbehaving OR Communicating? Discover the hidden physcial issues behind 5 common "behavioural" problems - and how to solve them.  Register now - Choose your time below; Wednesday 18th March 8am Aus Daylight Time (Syd/Melb) -  Tuesday 17th 5pm EST, 2pm PST, 9pm GMT, 10pm CET  Wednesday 18th March 8pm Aus Daylight Time (Syd/Melb) - Wednesday 19th 2am PST, 5am EST, 9am GMT, 10am CET Lunging - Yes or No? Not all lunging is equal - and we believe that it can be very powerful in the right context. Today we unpack how to move beyond “sending them 'round” and start using long lead work as a more supportive, thoughtful way to improve balance, posture and connection.  We discuss how why rushing, falling out/in, bracing, or being completely automatic is useful feedback about how the horse is coping in their body. We also reiterate how lunging aids that shape the head and neck may create a picture in the moment, but do not create lasting postural change. In this episode, we unpack: Why lunging should be more than just “getting the fizz out” The difference between automated movement and connected movement Why small, uncontrolled circles can be a problem The value of helping the horse find balance, body awareness and self-carriage How supportive long lead work can improve observation, posture and pre-ride feedback Why going slower, and going back to foundations, often gets you further   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

    55 min
  6. Episode 75: Guest Jane Clothier - BEMER

    1 MAR

    Episode 75: Guest Jane Clothier - BEMER

    This week we are joined by Dr Jane Clothier (creator of The Horse’s Back blog and founder of Equine Healthworks) to unpack BEMER; (Bio-Electro-Energy-Regulation) - a low-frequency PEMF (Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field) device designed to support microcirculation and tissue function. Dr Jane has a deep appreciation for functional posture. Her work aims to improve how the body self organises, to improve comfort and develop more sustainable movement patterns by helping to create the conditions in the body for the horse's own health to express freely. This episode really explores how subtle healing can be. As Jane tells us: 'you don’t need a sledgehammer to crack a nut'. We discuss: The body as an orchesta of finely tuned, sycnhronised systems  BEMER mechanisms: improving vasomotion to support microcirculation  What Vasomotion is compared with Vasodilation (a common benefit in bodywork) Jane’s observations + case examples.   You can find Dr Jane here:https://thehorsesback.com/ https://www.facebook.com/equinehealthworks   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?

    1hr 10min
  7. Episode 74: Guest - Erika Gough - Nutrition Foundations

    22 FEB

    Episode 74: Guest - Erika Gough - Nutrition Foundations

    Erika Gough, equine Nutritionist from Inside Out Equine Health joins us for one of our most powerful conversations! We talk about how gut discomfort can show up in posture, movement, topline changes, and what you can actually do about it through practical feeding systems.  This information is digestible (pun very intended!); we cover what amino acids are (and why they matter) and how the horse’s gut is designed to work best. Plus - the key nutrition pillars that support the horse for a vibrant expression of whole body health! You can find Erika here:insideoutequinehealth.cominsideoutequinehealth@gmail.com 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?

    1hr 7min
  8. Episode 73: The Stay Apparatus - Forelimb Stability

    15 FEB

    Episode 73: The Stay Apparatus - Forelimb Stability

    Forelimb Stay Apparatus: the system that lets a horse “lock out” the front leg for weight-bearing, sleep standing up, and absorb concussion on landing. If you’ve ever seen a knee buckle, a stumble, or a messy landing, this episode will help you connect the dots and gain practical solutions. In this episode we discuss: Key structures including the soft tissue and bony structures Signs of dysfunction so that you can identify these in your own horse Causes: sleep deprivation, muscle injury, proprioception issues, postural compensations (and more!) What you can do, including the principle behind the therapy or exercise so you can discern which is important for your horse!    Thankyou to this episode's sponsor: Dr Shelley Appleton of Calm Willing Confident Horses: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au Shelley offers clear, grounded guidance that helps people get unstuck, using a whole-horse view that supports behaviour, learning, and wellbeing. Programs, practical resources, and a membership community for horse owners. Use code RAQUEL10 at checkout to receive 10% of programs and resources Website: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au Contact:admin@calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au   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

    45 min
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About

This podcast is created by Dr. Raquel Butler from Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics and Sophie Vandenberg from Equine Posturelate. Dr. Raquel is a Biomechanical Medicine Veterinarian and Educator. Sophie is an Equine Science graduate and has studied Equine Osteopathy. This podcast is your ultimate source for insights into the influences of functional posture on biomechanics, health and overall well-being of horses . Tune in each week as we discuss practical tips, delve into expert interviews and explore the latest research in the impact of static and dynamic posture on your horse journey. To Learn more about Dr Raquel visit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegratedVetherapeutics Website: https://integratedvettherapeutics.mykajabi.com/about To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091267906532 Join our community of proactive horse people exploring the world of equine functional posture - our next course begins November 2024!! To view the course visit: https://integratedvettherapeutics.mykajabi.com/store Have any questions? Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Raquel Butler & Sophie Vandenberg
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics & Dr. Raquel Butler 2024
  • Show Website
    The Equine Functional Posture Podcast

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