The Equine Functional Posture Podcast

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 continues to remodel after growth plates close

In Part 2, we’ll apply this information specifically to starting and training horses.

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics
Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com.au

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate – Sophie Vandenberg

Have any questions or topics you’d love us to cover?

Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

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 transition

Why the condition of the hoof can influence how long the process takes

The importance of working with a qualified barefoot professional

How nutrition, movement, terrain and trimming cycles affect hoof health

Why some horses require boots or additional cushioning throughout the transition

Common hoof boot fitting mistakes and how fit can change during a trimming cycle

How hoof comfort can influence stride length, posture and tension throughout the body

Whether hoof boots can provide suitable long-term protection

How Scoot Boot’s sizing app and fitting support can help owners select the right boot

This conversation is a practical reminder that successful barefoot management is not about leaving a horse unprotected. It is about providing the trimming, nutrition, movement, environment and protection the individual horse needs to remain comfortable and functional.



To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics
Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com.au

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate – Sophie Vandenberg

Have any questions or topics you’d love us to cover?

Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

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 difficulty interacting within a herd

Persistent ulcers that remained despite extensive management

Unusual reactions to grooming, needles, hosing, rugging

The rehab, farriery and management strategies that appeared to support him

The difficulty Kate faced when pursuing an ECVM diagnosis

Knowing when to keep encouraging a horse and when it is time to stop

Bronson’s story is also an important reminder: you know your horse’s normal, their quirks and the small changes that others may not see. Those observations matter, and your advocacy makes a difference for your horse.

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics
Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com.au

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate – Sophie Vandenberg

Have any questions or topics you’d love us to cover?

Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

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 the first rib are also malformed.

In this interview style episode, Sophie asks Dr Raquel Butler to explain:

What ECVM is and how it can affect the surrounding muscles, nerves and blood vessels

How ECVM is currently diagnosed and why specific radiographic views are needed

Subtle signs such as stumbling, unusual limb placement, asymmetrical movement and unexplained paddock accidents

More advanced signs, including unpredictable behaviour, loss of body awareness and sudden episodes of flight

What a diagnosis may mean for riding, training, competition, breeding and long-term management

How postural strength, proprioception and careful observation may help support affected horses

This is a complex and sometimes confronting subject, but awareness gives owners, riders and professionals a better chance of recognising when something does not feel right, investigating further and making informed decisions for both the horse and the people around them.

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics
Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com.au

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate – Sophie Vandenberg

Have any questions or topics you’d love us to cover?

Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com

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 limiting factor in all kinds of training

How balance and stability show up in small everyday movements

What limb placement and weight shifting can tell us

How you can watch and understand spinal control in deceleration and upward transitions

How watching paddock postures can reveal whether training is improving everyday function

Signs of spinal muscle fatigue; including brace and reduced co-orination

Why functional spinal motion needs to come before more advanced exercises



To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics
Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com.au

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate – Sophie Vandenberg

Have any questions or topics you’d love us to cover?

Email us at: equinefunctionalposture@gmail.com