The Equine Functional Posture Podcast

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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?

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.com
[email protected]

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?

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:[email protected]



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: [email protected]