Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg

Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg A holistic, osteopathic approach to equine bodywork, optimising your horses wellbeing and performance

This is something I agree with wholeheartedly - So passionately I even have an instagram to demonstrate that if you have...
16/03/2025

This is something I agree with wholeheartedly - So passionately I even have an instagram to demonstrate that if you have a young horse or foal you are teaching to lead anyone can create a soft and secure leading response (and all the other leading and training components!) injury free - https://www.instagram.com/foaltrainingwithsophie/
Too frequently lately have I visited horses with poll discomfort, ear shyness and upper neck discomfort with an automatic 'pull back' reflex like response when asked to move forward. The space under the band that covers your horse's poll is vulnerable, There is bursa over C2 between the bone and the nuchal ligament, and the spinal cord is also only covered by muscle and ligaments not bone at the junction of the first and second cervical vertebrae - teaching your horse to lead forward with soft pressure the first time you introduce the command is really important as you want to avoid the 'pull back' pathway in the brain from ever solidifying in the first place. If your horse shows these behaviours or you know they have experienced a pullback osteopathic work will benefit them greatly. ✅

These book are a great pair that allows you to think critically about the underlying motivators for horses when they exp...
12/03/2025

These book are a great pair that allows you to think critically about the underlying motivators for horses when they express behaviours - understanding behaviour from evidence based perspectives is relevant for trainers but also bodyworkers; the ability to understand that horses are always communicating and that two way conversations allow you to build trust very quickly in the way you respond to the horse and allow boundaries while asking questions = faster and better results as the body adjusts to a new and improved balanced and integrates information better when in a relaxed/parasympathetic state 📚📑

Episode 22- Be The Change You Want To See 💞This one is close to my heart - I do not believe we can do diffferently simpl...
23/02/2025

Episode 22- Be The Change You Want To See 💞

This one is close to my heart - I do not believe we can do diffferently simply because we know 'better'. Changes on an emotional and self love level must also happen to act differently 🧠🫀. I want to be someone who treats others with kindness and acceptance and while I am not perfect I want to model that I am growing and changing and learning and that's ok - I am not a bad person because I once did things I would not do anymore. 😊 I hope it resonates with others! ✨

This episode touches a different side of the horse world - our emotions and the ability to choose our response or to react based on our internal patterns. With a shift in the industry welfare and wellbeing of our horses is being considered deeply in equestrian circles - have you found yourself in a position where your emotion strings are tugged on? 🥹 Judgement, shame, fear ..or have you seen examples of inclusion, joy and community? 🌸 How do you want to show up and be in this changing world? What values and behaviours do you want to model?

Key points we cover:

➡️How our emotions are deeply intertwined with our perception of equine welfare and wellbeing.

➡️Understanding everyone is a person with feelings and how self-reflection can be a powerful tool.

➡️How to create meaningful change and why kindness and safe spaces are essential for this to happen.

Welcome to Episode 22: Be the change you want to see! If you enjoyed this episode we would love for you to 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!! With a shift in the industry welfare and wellbeing of...

Welcome to Episode 21 as we talk about In-Hand work with horses. This style of work has huge benefits for the horse incl...
18/02/2025

Welcome to Episode 21 as we talk about In-Hand work with horses. This style of work has huge benefits for the horse including having an improved relationship through the way that confidence, communication and trust can be developed so specifically. We talk about what kind of feedback you can use to get the most out of in hand work, and where to start if you're interested in developing this skill. 🐴🐴

Podcast Episode · The Equine Functional Posture Podcast · 16/02/2025 · 53m

Episode 18 - A conversation with Mel Fleming from Connecting with Horses & Riding with Synchronicity on the important of...
27/01/2025

Episode 18 - A conversation with Mel Fleming from Connecting with Horses & Riding with Synchronicity on the important of healthy posture in horses and how we can achieve it 💪.

"Mel Fleming has decades of experience of horse training- exploring biomechanics, heart centred horsemanship, saddle fit, and human-horse connections. In this guest episode Mel shares practical tips to help people connect with their horses. We speak about the role of relaxation, and how horses can enjoy movement and lean into the experience in finding power in their body when their biomechanics are optimised."

Podcast Episode · The Equine Functional Posture Podcast · 26/01/2025 · 59m

This weeks episode: Creating Variation in Training!! Informative for every trainer, rider or anyone who wants to know if...
13/01/2025

This weeks episode: Creating Variation in Training!! Informative for every trainer, rider or anyone who wants to know if the work they are doing with their horse is appropriate for their goals. We get the chance to talk about why balance and posture are foundational, and how to use fitness and strength training using the theory of exercise physiology to maximise results and decrease the need for excessive work. Available on Spotify, Apple podcast and directly from the webpage:

Podcast Episode · The Equine Functional Posture Podcast · 12/01/2025 · 53m

Amazing information on offer here- an important part of the horse that gets too little attention…. the equine hip is one...
05/01/2025

Amazing information on offer here- an important part of the horse that gets too little attention…. the equine hip is one of the most dynamic yet poorly understood parts of their body!! Make sure to register for this one. 🧠🤓

FREE WEBINAR - Wednesday 5th February 7pm AESDT
The Equine Hip Dynamics: Biomechanics, Pathologies & Rehabilitation

The Hip is a area of common biomechanical alterations yet it is rarely a place of lameness diagnosis due to the diagnostic challenges.
Perhaps it needs to be considered much more!

Join me for this free webinar to explore the dynamics of the hip joint and its anatomical connections!!

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Feb 5, 2025 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wckF8g6xQSuVrYt2jLIVQw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

My favourite Topic .. Foals 😍💕 I work a lot with foals handling / training and their development with balance, posture a...
21/10/2024

My favourite Topic .. Foals 😍💕 I work a lot with foals handling / training and their development with balance, posture and soft, developmentally appropriate training is very close to my heart!!

Episode 4: Foals and Functional Posture is now available - click the link or look us up on Spotify or Apple podcast! This week we are speaking about important aspects of functional posture in foals- alongside some hot tips for improving posture in foals - you will definitely learn something as we explore how to recognise postural challenges relating to birth trauma and the implications on balance and behaviour.

Welcome to the Equine Functional Posture podcast Episode 4 with Dr Raquel Butler and Sophie Vandenberg. If you enjoy this episode we would love for you to give us a 5 star rating so we can continue to impact the world for the horse!! In this Episode Dr. Raquel and Sophie discuss important aspects...

01/10/2024

Exciting news 🥳🤩This has been brewing over the last couple of months and is finally out to the public!! The new podcast with Dr Raquel from Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and coming soon to podbean!! 🐴 With new episodes coming out every Monday - it's your weekly dose of Equine Posture content✨

Please get in contact with Judith or myself, if you would like a session with your horse at her riding school next weeke...
29/09/2024

Please get in contact with Judith or myself, if you would like a session with your horse at her riding school next weekend 🐴 📚 ✅

Love to see you there! ✨💕

I am super excited to announce that Sophie vandenBerg is coming to our riding school on the 13th of October (if we get enough interest we can do Saturday as well).
Sophie is a Functional Osteopathic Equine bodyworker, Insured and Qualified!! International Diploma of Functional Osteopathy for horses (Qualification is UK level 7/masters equivalent), and Bachelor of Equine Science. Using Osteopathic techniques, taping for support/proprioception/scar release, sure-foot pads, postural mobilisations and activations and other modalities.
If your horse is lacking freedom of movement, is showing discomfort/unwillingness when being ridden or isn't performing as well as they should be then this opportunity might be just the thing for your horse 😃
You may have even just noticed that your horse is kind of stiff when moving around, or something else e.g. their muscles are rock hard all the time, they struggle to bend or maintain a canter, you think their flank (quad muscles - important the stifle function) are hollow - or they aren't developing their topline/spinal muscles (generally a posture issue.. not nutrition!).
I can help you by
⭐️Seeing what is and isn't moving well and using osteopathic techniques to support the dysfunction.
⭐️Working kindly but deeply with your horse
⭐️Setting you up with a plan to improve body function and balance with targeted exercises (and make sure you're doing them correctly)
⭐️Provide advice so your horse is doing their own postural work when you aren't with them (save time!)
Initial appointments are 2 hrs (1.5 hrs on subsequent appointments) and owner must be present.
🐎PM me for a spot or call 0400 389 199 🐎 or send Judith at Southern Tablelands riding school a message

Sure it's undesirable behaviour... But WHY is it there in the first place??❗️Regular bodywork and horse-appropriate mana...
13/01/2024

Sure it's undesirable behaviour... But WHY is it there in the first place??
❗️Regular bodywork and horse-appropriate management in line with the 5 domains isn't a luxury or a 'nice to have' for your horse❗️
It also keeps you safe by preventing and exploring pain behaviours from issues that usually have been compounding over time.
Bucking, bolting, biting, leg reefing and avoidance are communicative behaviours- they mean something.
🧐Do you experience these behaviours when with your horse?
🧐Is your horse struggling or avoidant when asked to lift their legs by their hoofcare professional (embarrassing and frustrating!!)?
🧐Do you find you have to use a stronger bit/tack to prevent certain behaviours?
🧐Are you apprehensive about what reaction you will get when girthing your horse?
🧐Does your horse have jerky movement or issues like struggling to keep a specific canter lead?
You may already know that there is 'something' going on but you can't get any improvement or put your finger on the issue,
Get in touch and I can help you and your horse to move forward!
Qualified ✅
Insured ✅

Raquel is brilliant and I would encourage all horse owners to do this course- it is a 6 week course that focuses on the ...
11/01/2024

Raquel is brilliant and I would encourage all horse owners to do this course- it is a 6 week course that focuses on the assessment of posture and how to improve it with easy to implement management changes and postural exercises. There is literally no better value course at this time - valuable course content plus a private Facebook group for coaching and feedback, weekly webinars and a Live Q and A for questions!! Please consider 2024 as the year you build your horses posture ☺️

This begins in 6 weeks so join up to make sure you don't miss out on a spot!
https://integratedvettherapeutics.mykajabi.com/store

Jelly's progress. 🥰 He is improving, back to his normal cheeky self and stance much improved. 🙌
✅The first part of rehabilitation for me generally is movement - walking as soon as possible (unless the injury is unstable such as a fracture or there is still active inflammation that flares with movement).
✅The next aspect is doing movements that are comfortable i.e in this case starting with spinal mobilisations before doing any hindlimb exercises and feeding positions that promote a comfortable yet more balanced posture.

The Equine Functional Posture course Level 1 6 weeks course starting in February explores;
✅Variable feeding positions to influence posture in Module 3
✅The application of spinal mobilisations in Module 4.

Each module comprises a live Q & A session, a webinar and exercise videos with an activity sheet for your to complete.

https://integratedvettherapeutics.mykajabi.com/store

06/01/2024

This is an awesome exercise developed by Robyn which can help relieve and prevent facial restrictions within the shoulder girdle. Paired with a good warm up before riding will help to prevent injuries 🤓

Beautiful post from Sinead, her work supporting horses and owners through the transitioning of their animals is so valua...
05/01/2024

Beautiful post from Sinead, her work supporting horses and owners through the transitioning of their animals is so valuable and is a support service everyone should know is available. If you have an animal who is transitioning soon, or you and your herd is grieving a lost one Sinead can help you. 🤍

End of Life ~ Transitioning 🌿

🦋This subject has been on my mind since last year and literally in this last week I have had two very special animals in my life transition on the same day and literally within one hour of each other. They were both elderly and thankfully their caregivers had a few days to prepare not only themselves but their dear animal. Even though we can prepare ourselves when given time, Im not sure we really can fully understand the concept of transitioning? And sadly, sometimes we do have emergency situations where we dont have the luxury of time and feel like the rug has been ripped out from under our feet when euthanasia is called upon and is the only solution.

🦋I know this subject is icky, we dont like talking about it, its uncomfortable, however if you are reading this, you most likely have a horse or an animal you care deeply about in your life right this moment and have on occasions brought up the subject and then quickly dismissed it praying for longevity in your beloved animal.

🦋And I hope that I can write this post in an articulate, meaningful way that expresses my feelings, offerings and with deep respect to everyone?

🦋Animals have a very different viewpoint of end of life than us, they do not see it as an end as such, but a finality of their earthly body. They do not fear death. Ever. And they also do not want us to suffer onwards from their death. Animals do not wish for us to spend any longer in grief or get lost in than is healthy, yet they acknowledge that we will grieve their loss along with the other animals within the herd or home.

🦋Grief will heal and it is of course very individual, yet feeling and acknowledging that your loved one is gone, and through not living in the past or wishing them back, will heal the trauma.

It takes time.

🦋And for an age, I was quietly offering assistance to people and clients when time was coming near for their animals “crossing over of Rainbow Bridge.” And I feel now is the right time for me to let people know that I am now of service to offer modalities to assist both you and your animals during this significant time. I also want to acknowledge that I am not a Death Doula, I have the utmost respect for this profession, but at this time its not something I want to pursue.

🦋So, my reasoning to writing this post. When the time has come I can offer support, compassion and calm for the animal, the caregiver, the family, the herd or the whole animal family. I do this in a number of ways, through different types of energy work, acupuncture and also through Animal Reiki. This can be done either in person or via distance work. All of this work facilitates and supports the animals end of life process and can also provide some clarity for the family left behind.

🦋I understand that this subject is most likely something that you will not want to think about for some years to come especially if your horses and animals are feeling healthy and young. Yet, I feel it is important to bring up the subject no matter and to hopefully bring up transitioning without us brushing the issue aside and talking in hushed voices. I want to make it no longer taboo. It is a part of life and its certainly a part that we will eventually experience as we have these glorious creatures in our lives.

🦋Therefore my intention is to bring awareness that there is support out there, albeit even if there is not many of us shouting it from the roof tops that we do this work. And you are never alone, ever. So please, read this post, acknowledge it and hopefully remember who to call upon in times of transitioning.

💕This post is dedicated to “D” who pushed me forward to writing this and remembering Tuesday mornings will never be the same without him🦄

Much love X

Enjoyed wasting some time with the best teachers ever yesterday when Boyne Equine Health - Sinead McCann came to visit, ...
04/01/2024

Enjoyed wasting some time with the best teachers ever yesterday when Boyne Equine Health - Sinead McCann came to visit, such a special time and of course every foal loved Sinead and her wonderful energy!! These babies bring so much joy to my life every day 🦄🩷

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