By six, Raquel knew she wanted to be a vet - a dream that led her to graduate from the University of Melbourne in 2004. After three years in mixed practice and several years travelling and working overseas (including a memorable stint in Vanuatu), she eventually settled in Albury NSW with her husband, Brett.

Over time, Raquel became increasingly frustrated by the limitations of conventional veterinary practice - treating symptoms in isolation rather than addressing the whole horse. Her own horses were her greatest teachers: their so-called “behavioural issues” were, in truth, reflections of pain, imbalance, and poor posture. This realisation changed the course of her career.

Inspired by mentors such as Dr Ian Bidstrup and Dr Sharon May-Davis, Raquel pursued further studies in Equine & Canine Muscle Release Therapy (EMRT & CCMRT), Equi-taping & Vetkin taping, Equine Anatomy & Biomechanics including many Equine dissections and completed the Graduate Diploma in Animal Biomechanical Medicine - the highest level of postgraduate training in Australia encompassing veterinary chiropractic, osteopathic, and rehabilitation principles. She continues to contribute to this field as an educator and former five-year President of the Animal Biomechanical Medicine Practitioners Australia (ABPA).

In 2012, Raquel founded Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics, where she combines clinical treatment with education to help horse owners, trainers, and bodyworkers understand the physical influences behind behaviour and performance. Her ongoing studies include the Academy of Animal Sport Science – Animal Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Certification.

Raquel lectures in Equine Science at Charles Sturt University, teaching full time from 2018-2022 in Equine Locomotion, Injury, Disease & Rehabilitation, and The Equine Athlete. She also holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons), Graduate Diploma in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education and is the Equinology Instructor for Australia & New Zealand, teaching the internationally recognised Equinology Equine Bodywork course.

Raquel currently runs her clinical practice and online education programs, including her signature Equine Functional Posture Course and Co-hosts weekly episodes forThe Equine Functional Posture Podcast.

Her mission is simple yet profound: to bridge the gap between science and holistic healing — helping horses move, feel, and live better by addressing posture, pain, and balance at their root cause, not just their symptoms.

Because of the Horse...

I learned that posture is more than position - it’s communication.

Every imbalance tells a story, every movement reveals emotion, and when we restore balance in the body, we awaken confidence, connection and harmony in the mind.

They’ve taught me to listen beyond what I see, to feel, and to recognise that healing begins when we understand how posture, pain, and behaviour are intertwined.

I see the possibility that lives in awareness - where science meets empathy, and where true connection begins