The Equine Functional Posture Podcast

Let's look beyond the 'vice of windsucking'. Today we explore the causes, physical effects and management of windsucking and crib-biting in horses. Raquel shares her experience managing her own windsucking horse, Moonie, over the past 12 years, including the challenges of identifying stressors, managing physical discomfort and finding a balance that supports his wellbeing. We discuss: What windsuc...

The Equine Functional Course is now open for Enrolment - Closes 2nd Nov 2026 https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com/efp   Pole Work: What Does the Research Tell Us About Equine Biomechanics? Pole work is commonly recommended for training and rehabilitation, but how do we know whether it's actually benefiting the horse? In this episode, Dr Raquel Butler and Sophie Vandenberg explore the res...

Understanding Your Horse: The Value of Functional Posture Education What if you could recognise the smaller signs that your horse is struggling, understand why, and feel confident knowing what to do next? In this episode Dr Raquel Butler and Sophie Vandenberg explore how understanding the relationships between posture, movement, balance and behaviour can change the way we care for our horses - and...

Episode 106 - 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 radio...

Episode 107 - The Neurological Examination A 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 nervo...

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...

Sometimes the most powerful change comes from doing less, waiting longer and observing more carefully. This episode is a reflective 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 ne...

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 presenta...

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 al...

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 c...

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 a...

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 mat...

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 orthopae...

  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-...

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...

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...

Assessing Postural Muscles: Controlled or Compensating? Today we’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 observing our horse's movement. In this episode, we explore: Why postural control is often...

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 mo...

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, th...

Master the essential, proven, science-based tools to understand posture, movement and behaviour from the inside out - so you can c reate 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 hor...

Master the essential, proven, science-based tools to understand posture, movement and behaviour from the inside out - so you can c reate 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...

Discover The Hidden Physical Issues Behind 5 Common “Behavioural” Problems And How To Solve Them -  Without  More 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 empowe...

 Healthy Head and Neck Posture Head and neck position alone does not create self-carriage, collection, or correct biomechanics. Today we are discussing how 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...

What if the most valuable part of your training session is not the exercise itself, but the pause that follows it? In this episode, we explore why brain breaks are such an important part of training, learning, emotional regulation, and postural change. A pause is never wasted time; it is the moment where the horse processes, integrates, softens, reorganises. You also have the opportunity to slow d...

Do you know how to recognise an abdominal muscle injury?? The horse’s abdominals are one of the most important support systems in the body. In this episode, we explore the anatomy and function of the abdominal muscles, how abdominal injuries can occur, and why these injuries are so commonly missed. We also discuss how abdominal dysfunction can influence posture, spinal stability, thoracic sling fu...