The Equine Functional Posture Podcast

Rope Walking and What It Reveals About Your Horse’s Body

Rope Walking in horses (walking as if on a tightrope) is more than just an unusual gait, it’s a clue that something deeper is going on within the body. We break down why alignment should be balanced rather than narrow, and why this change in movement and loading can indicate instability, compensation, or pain.

We draw on real clinical cases and practical experience and guide you through the most common causes, how to assess your horse, and simple strategies to begin improving movement, stability, and comfort.

In this episode, we unpack

What ropewalking vs correct limb alignment should look like during movement and standing

Common causes in the forelimbs, including pectoral injury, shoulder instability, saddle or girth discomfort, and neurological issues

Common contributors in the hindlimbs, including groin tension, abdominal weakness, pelvic dysfunction, and lumbar discomfort

Why downhill surfaces can highlight instability and make rope walking more obvious

When to consider neurological involvement and seek veterinary assessment

Practical ways to assess your horse, and rehabilitation strategies that gently recalibrate the system

This is an important conversation for horse owners because rope walking is not a training issue and therefore training is not a primary solution - rather a structural and postural one!

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 or topics you’d love us to cover?

Email us at: [email protected]

Sleep Deprivation and Posture

Sleep deprivation in horses is a serious welfare issue, and one that can easily be missed or mistaken for something else. In this episode, we unpack what normal sleep looks like in the horse, why REM sleep matters so much, and some of the reasons a horse may not be getting the rest they need.

We talk through the difference between standing rest, laying sleep, and REM sleep, and why the ability to comfortably get down to the ground and back up again matters more than many people realise. We also explore how pain, physical dysfunction, group housing dynamics, space, footing, and environmental stress can all influence whether a horse feels safe and able to sleep properly.

In this episode, we unpack:

What normal sleep patterns look like in horses, including standing rest, recumbent sleep, and REM sleep

Why foals and young horses need much more sleep, and why REM sleep is essential for recovery and nervous system function

Common causes of sleep deprivation, including pain, chronic discomfort, difficulty lying down or getting up, and environmental stress

How sleep deprivation can show up through collapse episodes, fatigue, reduced focus, stress, pain sensitivity, and emotional dysregulation

Why whole-body posture is so important for the horse's stay apparatus - providing stability during standing sleep and rest

What owners can do to improve comfort, safety, and sleep opportunities for their horse

This is an important conversation for horse owners because sleep deprivation is not just a behaviour issue. It is a welfare issue, and one that deserves attention when a horse is not coping physically or emotionally.



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]

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]