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PODCAST

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

education pets & animals

All Episodes

41:26

Episode 106 - Pre-purchase Exams - Are They Worth It?

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/10/04

Episode 107 - Pre-Purchase Exams: Are They Worth It? A pre-purchase examination can reduce risk and provide valuable information, but it cannot guarantee a horse's future soundness or suitability. In this episode, Dr. Raquel Butler and Sophie Vandenberg explore what equine pre-purchase examinations can and cannot tell us. They discuss the standard stages of a veterinary examination, choosing radiographs and optional diagnostics, understanding fitness for purpose, and combining veterinary

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32:23

Episode 106 - The Neurological Examination

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/10/04

Episode 107 - The Neurological ExaminationA horse can pass a lameness assessment and still show signs that warrant a neurological examination. In this episode, Dr. Raquel Butler and Sophie Vandenberg explain how an equine neurological examination differs from a musculoskeletal assessment. They explore the tests veterinarians use to assess sensation, coordination, balance, limb awareness and nervous-system function, alongside signs that may indicate the need for further investigation. We

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42:27

Episode 105 - Post Colic Surgery Rehabilitation

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/09/27

Episode 105 - Post Colic Surgery Rehabilitation Returning to performance after colic surgery does not necessarily mean that a horse's core function has fully recovered. In this episode, Dr. Raquel Butler and Sophie Vandenberg discuss rehabilitation following colic surgery, including how abdominal surgery can affect core strength, posture, breathing and movement. They outline a staged approach that begins with wound management and gut health, then progresses through stability, functional

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53:02

Episode 104 - Equine Functional Posture Clinic:...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/09/20

Sometimes the most powerful change comes from doing less, waiting longer and observing more carefully.This episode is areflective discussion about a recent two-day equine posture clinic hosted by Dr Raquel involving five very different horses. Differing levels of balance, stability, communication and mental engagement shaped each horse's response, and we explain why the same exercise may need to look completely different for each individual horse. We discuss: Why doing less and allowing

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50:19

Episode 103 - Guest: Sharon May Davis - Grading ECVM...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/09/14

Episode 103 - Guest: Sharon May Davis - Grading ECVM (Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation ECVM is more than simply identifying an anatomical variation in the lower cervical spine. In this episode, Dr. Raquel Butler and Sophie Vandenberg are joined by Dr. Sharon May-Davis PhD to explore the history, research and grading of Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation (ECVM), and what different presentations may mean for the individual horse. We discuss: How ECVM was first identified and how the

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44:31

Episode 102: Equine Pain Part 2- Understanding Pain:...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/09/06

Pain management in horses is rarely about finding one single treatment.In this episode, we explore how pain can be managed more holistically, why different types of pain may respond differently to treatment, and how movement, environment and daily management can all influence comfort and recovery. We discuss: Why pain management needs to be individualised to the horse Why a “bute trial” cannot always rule pain in or out The role of movement, rehabilitation and functional posture in

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46:12

Episode 101: Equine Pain Part 1- Understanding Pain:...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/08/30

Pain in horses is not simply a direct measure of tissue damage.In this episode, we explore what pain actually is, how the nervous system contributes to the pain experience, and why persistent pain can become much more complex than simply finding an injured structure. We discuss: Acute pain versus persistent or chronic pain Why pain can continue after tissues have healed How previous experiences can influence future pain responses Central sensitisation and an increasingly sensitive nervous

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53:27

Episode 100: Degenerative Suspensory Ligament...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/08/23

A dropped fetlock is often associated with Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD), but does a sinking fetlock always indicate this degenerative disease? Today we explore the current research around DSLD, discuss where the evidence is strong, where it remains uncertain, and why whole-body posture and loading may be an important part of the picture. We discuss Suspensory ligament, pelvic and spinal function influences on distal limb loading Diagnostic limitations, training

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52:02

Episode 99: Growth Plates: More than just an age -...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/08/16

When should we start riding a young horse?There are strong opinions at both ends of the spectrum: start them young so the body adapts to load, or wait until the growth plates have closed before riding. In Part 2 of our growth plate series, we look at why the answer is much more individual than simply choosing an age. We discuss the difference between loading and overloading, and why skeletal maturity alone doesn’t necessarily mean a horse is physically prepared to carry a rider. In this

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41:55

Episode 98: Growth Plates: More Than Just an Age –...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/08/09

Growth plates are central to skeletal development, but there is much more to them than simply knowing when they “close”. Today we are explaining what growth plates are, how bones grow, and the factors that influence healthy development. We discuss: When different parts of the equine skeleton mature What “open” and “closed” growth plates really mean Nutrition, growth rate and developmental orthopaedic diseases The importance of hoof balance, appropriate loading and posture How bone

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56:39

Episode 97: Transitioning horses to barefoot - GUEST...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/08/02

Transitioning a horse from metal shoes to barefoot can be incredibly rewarding, but it is rarely as simple as removing the shoes and hoping for the best.Guest Annette Kaitinis, co-founder of Scoot Boot, joins us to discuss what makes for a successful transition, and how she believes nearly all horses can have a comfortable booted or barefoot lifestyle with enough patience and a well-planned management approach. Together, they discuss: Where to begin when considering a barefoot

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65:20

Episode 96: ECVM Guest & Horse Owner Kate Schreiber

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/07/26

Bronson was a striking and successful performance horse, but behind his appearance and achievements was a long history of unusual behaviour, sensory changes, recurring injuries and physical challenges that escalated over 10 years.In this episode, we speak with Bronson’s dedicated owner, Kate Schreiber, about his Grade 4 ECVM diagnosis and recent dissection. Kate shares Bronson's story and his legacy of ECVM awareness and advocacy for horses everywhere. We discuss: Aggression, bolting and

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33:36

Episode 95: ECVM: What does it mean for our horses?

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/07/19

ECVM: What does it mean for our horses?Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation, or ECVM, is a congenital variation in the vertebrae at the base of the horse’s neck. While some affected horses may show few obvious signs, others can experience changes in stability, limb awareness, movement and behaviour that have serious implications for both horse and rider safety - this often correlates to whether the malformation is on one side of the neck, both sides of the neck or other structres such as

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49:10

Episode 94: Assessing Postural Muscles: Controlled or...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/07/12

Assessing Postural Muscles: Controlled or Compensating? Todaywe’re talking about how to recognise whether your horse is developing true postural control through the spine.Deep spinal muscles can be difficult to assess directly, but we can begin to understand how well they are functioning by observingour horse's movement. In this episode, we explore: Why postural control is often the limiting factor in all kinds of training How balance and stability show up in small everyday movements What

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48:43

Episode 93: The Nuchal Ligament

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/07/05

The Nuchal Ligament - Could you describe it's function? Today we’re unpacking the nuchal ligament: what it does, how it works, and why it is often misunderstood for it's role in body mechanics. We also share insights from dissections about where issues can occur and how ribcage position is paramount! The nuchal ligament is a passive recoil support system that helps reduce the effort required to move and support the head and neck -which can be up to 90kg combined weight! But it does not

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39:05

Episode 92: Un-Bridled Conversations- Horse Wellbeing...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/06/28

Un-Bridled Conversations- Horse Wellbeing and Biomechanics In this episode, we explore bridleless and bitless riding as more than just an impressive training goal. We discuss what changes when the horse is no longer connected through the mouth, and how this can reveal important information about posture, balance, expression and comfort. We reflect on recent bridleless competition footage, the positive reception it received, and what it showed us about collection, jumping technique, stride

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40:29

Episode 91: Who's responsibility is your horse's...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/06/21

Masterthe essential, proven, science-based tools to understand posture, movement and behaviour from the inside out - so you can create real, lasting change without overwhelm, pressure or confusion. Enrol now and transform how you support your horse’s body, balance and wellbeing:Equine Functional Posture Course WHO's responsibility is your horse's posture? Your horse’s posture is not something that can be fully outsourced. While your vet, bodyworker, trainer, hoof care provider and saddle

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57:08

Episode 90: Activations: Waking Up Better Movement

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/06/14

Masterthe essential, proven, science-based tools to understand posture, movement and behaviour from the inside out - so you can create real, lasting change without overwhelm, pressure or confusion. Enrol now and transform how you support your horse’s body, balance and wellbeing: Equine Functional Posture Course Activations: Waking Up Better Movement Activations are one of the ways we can help prepare the horse’s body for better posture, stability and movement. They are not just exercises

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43:01

Episode 89: Collaborative Rehab; Conversations With...

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/06/07

Discover The Hidden PhysicalIssues Behind 5 Common “Behavioural” Problems And HowTo Solve Them -WithoutMore Pressure,Treatments Or Training Techniques Register for my FREE Online Masterclass - Sunday June 14th https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com/registrationpbmc Collaborative Rehab; Conversations with Your Veterinarian! Today we are empowering you with the skills to create better conversations with your vet around rehabilitation, especially once a diagnosis has been made. We explore

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36:38

Episode 88: Healthy Head and Neck Posture

The Equine Functional Posture Podcast ·

2026/05/31

Healthy Head and Neck Posture Head and neck position alone does not create self-carriage, collection, or correct biomechanics. Today we are discussinghow the poll, jaw, neck muscles, cranial nerves, hyoid, nuchal ligament, back, and pelvis can all be affected when the head and neck are held in position rather than responding freely to whole-body posture. In this episode, we unpack: Why head position should be the result of whole-body organisation How thoracic sling, core, and hindlimb

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