Dr Raquel Butler
Horse health / Care
Dr. Raquel Butler’s passion for horses began at 1 year old when she sat on her first horse. She has had a number of difficult horses throughout her life who have inspired her to search for answers and enhance her understanding of the underlying potential physical issues that affect horses’ performance and behaviour.
Raquel graduated from BVSc Melbourne University in 2004. She worked in mixed practice in Australia and overseas for 10 years. In 2012 Raquel started her own business ‘ Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics, treating horses and dogs with Muscle Release Therapy (EMRT & CCMRT) and completing a Graduate Diploma in Animal Biomechanical Medicine, encompassing chiropractic, osteopathic and rehabilitation techniques in 2016.
She is currently the President of the Animal Biomechanical Professionals of Australia. Raquel has studied many therapies including the Masterson Method, CranioSacral, Kinesiology Taping with Equi tape and Vetkin, Saddle fitting, Laser (Photobiomodulation) therapy and recently Acupuncture Oriented Energetics and Fascial kinetic lines. In 2015 she began teaching clinics in Equine Anatomy and Palpation, Equine Biomechanics, Equine Veterinary Biomechanical Assessment and Equine Vetkin taping, to practitioners and horse people in Australia, UK and Holland. Raquel has worked closely with and assisted Sharon May-Davis in numerous whole horse dissections and has run them herself, learning from the textbook on the table.
Raquel has worked alongside classical horse trainer Thirza Hendriks to promote correct biomechanical training in rehabilitation. Raquel is very passionate about Equine biomechanics, injury rehabilitation and bridging the gap between Equine therapists, trainers and Veterinarians to improve the health and wellbeing of the horse. She currently works at Charles Sturt, Wagga Wagga, NSW, lecturing and researching in Equine Science in subjects incorporating rehabilitation, biomechanics and Equine athlete training and management.