The Equine Functional Posture Podcast

Rebuilding Well: Bringing a Horse Back Into Work

Strap yourself in - this is an episode where you are going to want to take notes!

Today we are talking through how to bring a horse back into work without rushing the process and risking injury. Within 3 months of no work a horse's body looses their fitness. Fitness and strength is represented by physiological changes in the muscles and cells that increase energy storage, oxygen delivery and energy use efficiency. This lack of fitness means a loss of endurance, loss of strength, and reduced capacity to handle work safely. Today we aim to give you a specific roadmap including session length, intensity, frequency to bring your horse back into work safely!

This conversation is especially relevant for broodmares after a foal, or any horse coming back into work without an injury but with a body that still needs thoughtful reconditioning. It will be useful resource for every single person who rides a horse.

In this episode, we unpack:

Why 6 to 8 weeks is a realistic minimum timeline for rebuilding baseline fitness and why it is integral for injury prevention and your horse's wellbeing

What to assess before you begin, including posture, core strength, laterality, and old compensations

How to structure the first few weeks with stability, balance, neuromuscular control, and short, effective sessions

When and how to introduce more trot, canter, and higher intensity work without overdoing it (including how long your increases in intensity should be)



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]

Episode 80: Guest Animal Communicator Trisha McCagh - What Horses Really Think

Trisha McCagh is a world renowned Animal Communicator - she has communicated with almost all animals you can think of and has so many amazing stories as well as being recommended by Veterinarians!

Today we discuss the profound communication between humans and horses. Discover how animals reflect our purpose, teach us about authenticity, and share their wisdom through subtle behaviors and telepathic connection.

This conversation goes far beyond the idea of animals simply “behaving” or “misbehaving”. Trisha shares her perspective on animals as deeply aware beings who are constantly observing us, responding to our intentions, and communicating through emotion, behaviour, energy, and relationship.

In this episode, we cover:

How animals may communicate about purpose, relationship, and what they are here to teach us including simplicity, fun, authenticity, and presence

Why horses may respond differently when relationship comes before performance and the importance of spending time with your horse with no expectation or agenda

How labelling horses can interfere with understanding their behaviour

Why communication, trust, and cooperative care matter in handling and treatment

If you have ever wondered whether animals are trying to tell us more than we realise, or how to build a quieter, more honest relationship with your horse, Trisha's knowledge will help you achieve just that.

You can find out more about Trisha McCagh at:

~ https://animaltalk.com.au/

~ Animal Talk Podcast With Trisha McCagh

Rehabilitating Tendon Injuries

Tendon injuries can be one of the more frustrating and drawn-out issues to navigate. Many horse owners are given a basic plan of confinement and gradual turnout, but true rehabilitation needs far more. Today we unpack tendon rehabilitation from a whole-body perspective, including why these injuries happen, how posture and loading patterns influence healing, and why the quality of the rehab plan matters just as much as the diagnosis itself. Our most important takeaway - the tendon is usually not the primary issue!

In this episode, we discuss:

Why a proper disagnosis and injury grading from the beginning is important and how this information influences your rehabilitation plan depending on the type: tendon, ligament, sheath, and strain injuries

Why tendon injuries are often not just a local problem, but part of a bigger picture involving posture, hoof balance, thoracic sling function, pelvic mechanics, and overall limb loading

How controlled movement, targeted exercises, appropriate tools, and structured progression can support better healing, reduce scar tissue, and lower the risk of re-injury



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]

Ready to create lasting change for your horse? Join the Equine Functional Posture course: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com/efp

Reading Sacro-pelvic Alignment (Before you blame conformation…)

The lumbosacropelvic area is one of the key regions involved in propulsion, swing, and hind end function, but it is also an area that is often mis-interpreted In this episode, we unpack how to begin reading sacro-pelvic alignment, what a more neutral and functional pelvis looks like, and why posture is so often mistaken for conformation.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why posture and conformation are not the same thing

What a more neutral and functional pelvic alignment looks like

How to observe sacro-pelvic inclination from the side when the horse is standing square

What a more flexed or “tucked” pelvis may mean for stride length and propulsion

What a flatter or more extended lumbosacral posture may tell you about engagement and swing

Practical ways to support healthier pelvic function through movement variety, hoof care, posture, and bodywork

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

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]