The Equine Functional Posture Podcast

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

The Nuchal Ligament - Could you describe it's function?

Today we’re unpacking the nuchal ligament: what it does, how it works, and why it is often misunderstood for it's role in body mechanics. We also share insights from dissections about where issues can occur and how ribcage position is paramount!

The nuchal ligament is a passive recoil support system that helps reduce the effort required to move and support the head and neck -which can be up to 90kg combined weight! But it does not actively lift the horse’s neck or back. That job still belongs to the muscles, thoracic sling, abdominals and deeper stabilising systems.

In this episode, we explore:

The anatomy and function of the nuchal ligament

Why it acts as an energy-saving recoil system, not a “head holder”

Signs the nuchal ligament system may be under strain or dysfunctional

What we see clinically and in dissections

How better posture, bodywork, saddle fit, feeding positions and training choices can support healthier function

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

Un-Bridled Conversations- Horse Wellbeing and Biomechanics

In this episode, we explore bridleless and bitless riding as more than just an impressive training goal. We discuss what changes when the horse is no longer connected through the mouth, and how this can reveal important information about posture, balance, expression and comfort.

We reflect on recent bridleless competition footage, the positive reception it received, and what it showed us about collection, jumping technique, stride regularity and self-carriage without relying on the bit.

In this episode, we unpack:

Why bitless and bridleless riding deserve a place as valid riding and competition options

What a horse’s expression can tell us about comfort, pressure and conflict

How the head, neck and mouth can influence stride length, rhythm and hind-end function

Why bridleless riding still needs thoughtful, peaceful training foundations

How removing the bridle can reveal a horse’s true neutral posture

Anatomical considerations when using neck ropes or bridle-less aids.

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

Master the essential, proven, science-based tools to understand posture, movement and behaviour from the inside out - so you can create real, lasting change without overwhelm, pressure or confusion.

Enrol now and transform how you support your horse’s body, balance and wellbeing: Equine Functional Posture Course



WHO's responsibility is your horse's posture?

Your horse’s posture is not something that can be fully outsourced. While your vet, bodyworker, trainer, hoof care provider and saddle fitter all play important roles, the daily observations and small consistent inputs from the owner are often what create lasting change.

In this episode, we unpack:

Why the horse owner’s role is irreplaceable in postural change

How behaviour, posture and movement are forms of communication

What parts of your horse’s progress cannot be outsourced

Why bodywork creates opportunity, but the owner helps maintain change

How daily exercises, warm-ups and observations support the “positive posture bank”

How the Equine Functional Posture Course helps owners recognise, support and advocate for their 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