The Equine Functional Posture Podcast

• Episode 40: Unpacking the Hunters Bump

  If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating so we can continue to impact the world for the horse!! Episode 40: Unpacking the Hunter’s Bump — What It Really Means for Your Horse Join Dr. Raquel Butler and Sophie Vandenberg for a deep dive into the complexity of the “hunter’s bump” — a common but often misunderstood postural feature in horses. In this episode, we unpack: 🔹 What the hunter’s bump actually is — anatomically and biomechanically 🔹 Why it’s more than just a “pelvic issue” and often part of a bigger picture 🔹 The role of sacroiliac and sacrotuberous ligaments in posture and pain 🔹 How muscular tension, ligament dysfunction, injury, or poor hoof balance all play a role 🔹 What a hunter’s bump can tell you about core weakness, pelvic imbalance, and compensatory movement patterns 🔹 Case examples of OTTBs, performance horses, and young horses showing dysfunction 🔹 The tell tale signs your horse may be struggling in the lumbosacropelvic region 🔹 Key relationships between hoof angles, sacropelvic dysfunction, and conditions like proximal suspensory desmitis 🔹 Practical tools and exercises to support this area - from feeding positions to activation and massage This is an incredibly common issue we see - and one that’s very often overlooked or misunderstood. Whether your horse has a visible hunter’s bump or you’ve noticed changes in comfort, performance, or posture, this episode will give you a deeper understanding of what might be going on and what to do next. 🎓 Want to learn how to assess, interpret, and support your horse’s posture from the ground up? Register on the email list for our next Equine Functional Posture Course and start building a better future for your horse’s body and mind. We hope you find this episode motivating, inspiring and thought provoking! To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler 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 Questions or topic requests? Email us at: [email protected]

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• Episode 39 : Guest Zoe Braddock Student of EFP

  If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating so we can continue to impact the world for the horse!! Welcome to Episode 39: Guest Zoe Braddock Student of EFP Zoe Braddock is an engineer in New Zealand and has been working with and keeping horses her whole life. She has pursued classical dressage and spent many years training as a student with mentors and professional riders. In this great chat we talk about how postural work and handing the reins (pun intended) back to the horse gives them the ability to focus on their own body to prioritise their own posture. How the Equine Functional Posture (EFP) course influenced her decision-making when buying a horse — How the ability to make assessments and choose a young horse with true lightness and how this has resulted in the easiest young horse Zoe has ever trained! The contrasts and similarities between classical dressage principles and postural training— and how biomechanics and posture, fit into the bigger picture of ethical training. How studying posture has transformed the way she sees horses — from body language and compensation to the stories horses carry in their movement and stillness. How Zoe believes the Equine Functional Posture course has been responsible for creating a new dimension in her mind - and how this is supported by robust concepts and a practical pathway to building her dream horse! We hope you find this episode motivating, inspiring and thought provoking! To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler 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 Questions or topic requests? Email us at: [email protected]

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• Episode 38: Guest Vet Surgeon Dr Lily Wilson - Linking Equine Posture & Behaviour

  If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating so we can continue to impact the world for the horse!! Welcome to Episode 38: Guest Vet Surgeon Dr Lily Wilson - Linking Equine Posture & Behaviour Join us for an informative, heartfelt and fun conversation with UK-based Veterinary Surgeon Dr Lily Wilson. Dr Lily runs an equine rehab facility on a track system in West Sussex and is known for her expertise in Equine-appropriate management, postural, and ethical behaviour modification. She also teaches riders how to feel motion using an Equisimulator, runs online courses (including her needle-shy course launching July 1st - link below!), and is passionate about educating on how posture, pain/dysfunction and behaviour are connected. Dr Lily has gone through Dr Raquel's online Equine Functional Posture courses and believes it is an important bridge in the industry, as one of the most practical, straightforward and effective ways for you to learn about your own horse's posture, create an individualised plan to improve their body and transform your horse yourself! She also believes the concepts are very well articulated- excellent for bodyworkers, anyone new to postural training, experienced practitioners, or just anyone looking to create long lasting change for the horse. In this episode, you can learn: How Lily’s diagnostic processes evolved to honour postural concepts leading to more sustainable outcomes Why posture isn’t just a buzzword — it’s about structural balance, good management, and sustainable movement Her No.1 piece of advice for changing your horse's body for better outcomes Why being passed as “all clear” isn’t always enough and we can never rule out pain Her concept of healing through comfort to allow function to then change structure, and how to empower horses to participate in their own healing What to expect from positive postural changes- balanced eating postures, healthy herd dynamics, willingness to move, curiosity, and letting go of brace To learn more about Dr Lily: Website: nurturingnatureequine.co.uk/rehab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurturingnatureequine Instagram: nurturingnatureequine 💉Her fantastic Equine Needle Shyness Course launches July 1st! 💉 Sign up here: https://www.nurturingnatureequine.co.uk/needles To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegratedVetherapeutics Website: https://integratedvettherapeutics.com To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091267906532 Questions or topic requests? Email us at: [email protected]

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• Episode 37: Reprogramming Movement Patterns

  FREE Posture Behaviour Masterclass JUNE 24th- Sign up here: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com/registrationpbmc If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating so we can continue to impact the world for the horse!! Welcome to Episode 37: Reprogramming Movement Patterns Join Dr Raquel and Sophie as we dive into the art of reshaping how horses move — and why slow and controlled movement it’s one of the most impactful, yet underappreciated, tools for longevity and soundness. In this episode of the Equine Functional Posture Podcast, we explore how consciously reprogramming movement patterns can transform your horse’s balance, posture, and long-term wellbeing. You’ll learn how movement habits form, how new neural pathways are created, and why slow, mindful work after bodywork or when introducing new movements can yield dramatic changes with minimal time investment. This is about moving with the horse — through awareness, patience, and respect. Key Points Discussed: Why reprogramming movement patterns matters The importance of overnight rest in solidifying neural pathways How to support horses post-bodywork for lasting change The power of slow, intentional movement Change doesn’t always mean doing more — sometimes it means doing less, with greater intention. Tune in to learn how small, focused efforts can create effortless, balanced movement. To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler 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 Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: [email protected]

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• Episode 36: Considering Body Dysfunction as a Cause of Bad Behaviour

  If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to follow and share the episode with your friends and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating so we can continue to impact the world for the horse!! This week, we explore how so-called “bad behaviour” in horses is often not behavioural at all. Horses respond to their internal state. If they feel unstable, sore, or restricted, they will try to communicate — sometimes with behaviours we label as "naughty," "lazy," or "resistant." What You’ll Learn: Why physical discomfort is often overlooked as a root cause of 'bad' behaviour How common advice (more pressure, spurs, stronger aids) can escalate the problem Why behaviour is communication — and how to listen with your eyes and hands Sophie and Raquel share real-world examples where functional movement improving transformed long-standing behavioural challenges Before blaming your horse — or yourself we discuss how to pause and consider: 👉 Could this be physical? 👉 Who can help assess the horse’s body? (Vet, bodyworker, hoof care, dentist) 👉 What tools are available to me to solve this problem? (e.g. Use tools like the Sue Dyson ethogram to spot pain) 🎓 Want to learn more?Keep an eye out for the upcoming Equine Posture Behaviour Masterclass (a recorded webinar). Want to join us on our mission to empower horse people across the world with the skills they need to create their horse's best posture... join our next cohort of the Equine Functional Posture Course! https://integratedvettherapeutics.mykajabi.com/ To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler 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 Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about? Email us at: [email protected]

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