The Essence of Liberty Podcast

What happens when we stop trying to control every moment with our horses… and give them more space to have a voice? In this very special episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast, I’m joined by my very first guest: Rachel from My Horse Willow. What has always stood out to me about Rachel and her horses, Willow and Oakley, is the sheer amount of fun they have together. Her horses have spark. They play, they offer, they express themselves — and there is a beautiful sense that they genuinely want to be part of what she is doing. In our conversation, we talk about liberty, letting go of control, making mistakes, regulating our own emotions, giving our horses the benefit of the doubt, and why we sometimes need to stop worrying about getting everything “right” and remember why we fell in love with horses in the first place. Rachel also shares how liberty helped her reconnect with Willow during a time when she found herself micromanaging her movement — and the beautiful lesson that followed: The more you let go, the more they come back. Because perhaps the goal isn’t simply to have a horse who does what we ask. Perhaps it’s to create a relationship where our horse genuinely wants to join us. You can follow Rachel and her beautiful horses Willow & Oakley on Facebook and Instagram as @myhorsewillow. To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass, "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

What if self-carriage has very little to do with holding your horse in a frame? In this episode, I explore what self-carriage really means and why liberty offers one of the most honest ways to develop it. We dive into the surprising role of body awareness, proprioception and the horse's brain, along with four of my favourite liberty exercises for helping horses become lighter, more balanced and truly carry themselves. I also share a personal story from my early dressage days that completely changed the way I think about self-carriage. If you've ever wanted your horse to move with more balance, confidence and expression, this episode is for you. Also, important announcement: Lifetime Access to the Academy is ending August 31st 2026. After three incredible years and a huge expansion currently underway, lifetime access will be closing. If you've been thinking about joining the Academy, this is your final opportunity to become one of our founding lifetime members and receive all future content and updates with a single payment. To find out more, or to join our beautiful "Liberty Herd", go to: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass, "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

Many of us touch our horses without ever stopping to ask one simple question: Does my horse actually enjoy this? In this episode, I explore the power of intentional touch and how becoming more aware of your horse's feedback can completely transform your relationship. We discuss why many common forms of affection are simply tolerated, how to recognise the types of touch your horse genuinely enjoys, and why helping your horse release tension creates the perfect foundation for connection, learning, and liberty training. If you want a calmer, more connected horse, this episode is for you. To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass, "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

Welcome to the very first episode of 2026 ✨ In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast, I explore the Spanish walk through a softer and more reflective lens. Rather than focusing on how it looks from the outside, this conversation is about what the movement creates on the inside - within the horse’s body, balance, awareness, and sense of self 🐴 We touch on how the Spanish walk is often approached, how intention and subtlety can completely change its effect, and why slowing things down can open the door to deeper physical and emotional shifts. This episode invites you to look beyond the surface of an exercise and to consider how posture, presence, and internal focus can quietly reshape the way a horse moves and feels 💛 There is also a gentle exploration of how the feeling behind the Spanish walk can begin to influence other work, not by adding more effort or bigger movement, but by encouraging lightness, preparation, and ease ✨ This episode is an invitation to become curious, to soften expectations, and to notice what becomes possible when movement is guided by feel rather than force 🌱 To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass, "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast, I invite you to slow down and reflect on what progress truly means in liberty training as we move toward a new year. This episode isn’t about setting goals around what your horse should be able to do by a certain time. Instead, it’s about connection, clarity, and alignment - and how shifting your focus away from pressure can completely change the way both you and your horse feel in the training. I guide you through a series of reflective questions designed to help you better understand where you are right now, how your horse may be experiencing your sessions, and what might be asking to shift beneath the surface. These reflections are simple, but powerful, and they offer a different way of approaching growth without rushing, forcing, or creating expectations that don’t serve the partnership. This episode is especially for you if you’ve ever felt unsure, stuck, or quietly questioning whether there’s a gentler, more intuitive way forward - one that honours your horse’s emotional experience just as much as the physical work. I also share details about a limited-time opportunity to join the Essence of Liberty Online Academy, why it was intentionally designed to remove pressure from learning, and how it supports both horses and humans on their liberty journey ✨ I encourage you to grab a pen and paper, settle in, and allow this episode to help you reconnect with what truly matters as you step into the year ahead.🌿 To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass, "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast, I talk about what to do when you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or unmotivated with your horse - and why this is a completely normal part of the journey. I share gentle, practical strategies to help you reconnect with your why, take the pressure off progress, and find your spark again without guilt or force. We talk about why horses aren’t “going to waste,” how to check in with how your horse is really feeling, and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is slow down, learn something new, or simply take a break. This episode is an invitation to be kinder to yourself, trust your horse, and remember that liberty is about connection, curiosity, and play - not constant achievement. If things have been feeling a bit heavy or uninspired lately, this episode offers a gentle reset 💛 To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass, "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

Welcome to a Special Episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast In this episode, I take a deep dive into The Essence of Liberty Online Academy —what it is, why it exists, and how it can completely transform the way you relate to and train your horse. If you’ve been curious about the Academy, wondering if it’s right for you, or wanting to understand what actually happens inside it, this episode is for you. Episode Highlights & Timestamps [0:00] Introduction Why this episode is different and why I wanted to create a full breakdown of the Academy and its purpose. [0:20] The Origin Story My journey from traditional training methods to choice-based, positive reinforcement. The frustration of working with unmotivated horses and the breakthrough that led to true liberty. [1:33] What Is True Liberty? Redefining liberty as genuine freedom of choice for the horse. How this shift changes motivation, expression, and connection. [2:36] Why the Academy Exists Why I created a step-by-step program that I wish had existed earlier in my own journey. Turning years of learning into a structured, accessible resource. [3:24] Academy Structure: Four Main Modules A clear pathway from beginner to advanced liberty training. Learning through the real journeys of three very different horses. [4:07] Meet the Horses Levi – Playful, energetic, and always ready to offer behaviors. Nellie – Nervous, shut down, with a difficult past; her emotional transformation deeply resonates with students. Billy – Confident but food-aggressive, learning boundaries, self-regulation, and posture. [9:37] The Four Modules Explained Set Up for Success Contact & Connection Rewards & Gentle Guidance Advancing the Training [10:37] Bonus Content & Lifetime Access Over 20 hours of bonus material including extra exercises, troubleshooting, Q&As, feedback videos, and a dedicated module on collection and posture play. Lifetime access so you can learn at your own pace without pressure. [12:14] The Community A supportive private group for questions, sharing wins, and Saturday Celebrations. Direct access to me for thoughtful answers and guidance. [13:07] Exclusive Member Benefits Priority access and exclusive discounts for online coaching calls (live or video review). Members always receive scheduling priority. [13:56] Who Is the Academy For? Beginners who want a gentle, ethical foundation from the start. Advanced horse people wanting to fill gaps, refine skills, and deepen understanding. [15:23] Who Is the Academy Not For? Those only interested in flashy tricks without considering the horse’s emotional state. Those unwilling to work with positive reinforcement or food rewards. [17:09] Real Results Stories of horses regaining motivation, confidence, and joy. Students releasing guilt and finding a true sense of partnership. [18:18] Common Questions Answered “I don’t have time” – Liberty can be done in short sessions, even in the paddock. “Do I need special facilities?” – No fancy arena required, just a safe fenced area. “Will this work for all horses?” – Yes, exercises are adaptable for all ages and breeds. [22:21] Enrollment & Next Steps One-time payment and payment plan options available. An invitation to join a supportive, like-minded community. Academy Features Highlighted Step-by-step modules for all experience levels Real-life case studies with three different horses Lifetime access to all content 20+ hours of bonus material Supportive private community with direct access to the founder Saturday Celebrations to stay motivated Exclusive discounts and priority access to online coaching calls Suitable for all ages, breeds, and facilities Flexible payment options Ready to Begin Your Liberty Journey? If you’re ready to transform the way you train, connect, and communicate with your horse, you’re warmly invited to join The Essence of Liberty Online Academy . Click here to join The Essence of Liberty Online Academy ! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Thank you for listening and for choosing a path that honors both you and your horse.

In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast, I wanted to have an honest conversation about something that so many horse owners quietly worry about. How do we support a horse who gains weight easily or is prone to laminitis while still using positive reinforcement and food rewards 🍎 There is so much conflicting advice out there and it can feel overwhelming. In this episode I talk about why the real foundation for healthy weight management begins in your horse’s lifestyle and environment, not in the training sessions themselves. We explore simple and realistic ways to encourage more movement, how a very easy version of a track system can make a huge difference, and how to choose food rewards that support rather than hinder your horse’s health. I also share why calmness around food is essential and how the foundations we build with positive reinforcement can actually help your horse feel safer, more relaxed and more secure about food in daily life. My hope is that this episode brings you clarity and a sense of relief if you have ever felt unsure about using treats with an easy keeper or a horse who has metabolic concerns. And keep an eye out because our Christmas and New Year offers for the Essence of Liberty Academy will be arriving very soon. I cannot wait to share them with you 🎀 To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass, "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast, I explore one of my favourite topics - the way a horse’s emotions and posture influence one another. We’re all used to reading a horse’s body language, but there’s a much deeper connection between how they feel and how they move, especially when it comes to collection and confident expression. I also touch on the idea that posture might not just reflect emotion, but actually shape it - a concept we see in human studies and one I’ve noticed hints of in my own liberty work. It leads to some really interesting moments where a shift in movement seems to awaken motivation, playfulness, or even a little “show-off” energy. This episode is a short, thought-provoking look at how emotional states and physical posture intertwine, and how gentle, collaborative training can bring out the most authentic, beautiful expressions in our horses✨ To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass, "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast, I’m sharing another favourite cone exercise - this time all about transitions! It’s a beautifully simple setup, but it has a remarkable way of bringing more precision, clarity, and responsiveness into your liberty sessions. I talk about why transitions are such an important foundation for posture, balance, and connection, and how using a cone pattern can help you think ahead, time your questions more intentionally, and create a horse who genuinely wants to offer energy. I also touch on a common trap many of us fall into with transitions. This exercise builds on last month’s Distance by Destination episode, so if you enjoyed that one, you’ll love exploring this next step ✨ To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass, "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this episode, I share the journey of a very special mare who completely transformed the way I work with horses. What started as a promising beginning slowly shifted into something I didn’t expect - and one moment with her changed everything for us. If you’ve ever felt stuck with your horse, or wondered why things aren’t quite clicking, this story may give you some hope, perspective, and a new way of seeing your partnership. I can’t wait for you to meet Nina in the way I’ve come to know her. 💛 To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass, "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this episode, I take you far beyond the training space and into the real foundations of liberty: your horse’s lifestyle, nervous system, and basic needs. If we want our horses to genuinely say “yes” to our questions, we can’t simply train harder — we have to set them up to feel safe, curious, and playful long before we step into the training space. I talk about why “friends, forage, and freedom” are only the beginning, and why sleep and freedom from pain and disease are just as important for learning, motivation, and emotional regulation. I also dive into how unmet needs can show up as behaviors we often mislabel — like “spooky,” “lazy,” “pushy,” or “shut down” — when these are really signs of a horse who’s surviving rather than thriving. If you’ve ever felt like your horse isn’t fully available for connection, or swings between hyperreactive and shut down, this episode will give you a clearer picture of what might be going on beneath the surface. It’s a powerful reminder that true success in liberty begins outside the training space. To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass , "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more : https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast , I explore how the pauses and silences in our communication with horses can be just as powerful as the moments of action. Inspired by a quote from a West Coast Swing class that said “It is the silence between the notes that makes the music”, I reflect on how this idea beautifully applies to horsemanship. When we stop filling every moment with movement or noise, we create space for our horses to process, to breathe, and to truly listen. Quiet becomes the bridge between our intention and their understanding. By slowing down, softening our cues, and trusting in the silence, our communication becomes more fluent, more refined, and deeply connected. To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass , "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more : https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast , I'm talking about one of my absolute favorite liberty exercises that can completely change the way your horse feels about space, connection, and confidence. If your horse tends to crowd you, get a little too close, or struggles to relax when food is involved, this simple exercise might be the missing piece in your training. It is all about creating distance, but in a way that deepens trust instead of tension. To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass , "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more : https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this Halloween special, Dr. Nadine Lindblom explores the spooky side of desensitising — and how some traditional methods may actually cause horses to shut down rather than truly relax. You’ll discover how to approach desensitising through the lens of the nervous system, helping your horse learn to regulate instead of simply suppressing their emotions. Learn how liberty training can transform fear into curiosity, and how play can become your horse’s pathway to genuine confidence and calmness. 👻 Plus, stay tuned — something exciting (and a little spooky!) is coming soon… a special Halloween Sale you won’t want to miss! Keep an eye on your inbox and social media so that you don't miss out! 🎃 To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass , "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more : https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast , I’m talking about how to safely encourage playful, expressive energy in your horse. Playfulness is one of the most rewarding aspects of liberty training, but it can also be risky if the right foundations aren’t in place. I share why it’s so important to have clear communication, space, and boundaries before encouraging high-energy play, and I discuss the common mistakes I see people make. To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass , "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more : https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this short but powerful episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast , I’m talking about one of the most common mistakes I see in positive reinforcement training: using the wrong pouch or pocket for your food rewards. It may sound simple, but the wrong bag can lead to fumbling, delayed timing, and unclear communication with your horse. I’ll share what to look for in a food reward pouch, why convenience and security matter, and how this one small choice can completely change the flow of your training. To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass , "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more : https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

Is your horse becoming hyper-fixated on food rewards? Do you ever worry liberty training might turn into nothing more than “cookie training”? In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast , Dr. Nadine Lindblom (former equine veterinarian) shares how to prevent your training from becoming all about the food. You’ll learn: Why balance between connection time and training time matters. How to use lower-value rewards to reduce food obsession. The importance of clear start and end signals to keep sessions structured. These strategies will help you keep food as a motivator, not a distraction — so your horse sees you as more than a pocket full of treats, and your relationship grows deeper, more trusting, and more joyful. To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass , "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more : https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast , I dive into one of the most counterintuitive yet powerful foundations in positive reinforcement: rewarding your horse for doing absolutely nothing . Many students are surprised when I begin by reinforcing stillness instead of action—but this small detail can make all the difference. From reducing pushiness and frustration to teaching your horse emotional self-control and helping you match each other’s energy, rewarding nothing builds the calm, patient foundation your liberty work will always rely on. Discover how to set your horse up for success, what rewards to use, and why stillness is one of the hardest (and most important) behaviors your horse can learn. To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass , "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more : https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/

How strong is your relationship with your horse? In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast, I share 6 powerful ways to strengthen your relationship—3 outside the training space, and 3 within it. Plus, we’ll talk about how to preserve trust when you have to do something your horse won’t enjoy (like worming, vet procedures, or trailering). If you want to become the person your horse seeks for safety and joy—not just tolerates—this one’s for you 💛 To learn how to begin liberty with your horse, check out the free masterclass , "Launch Into Liberty: Where and How To Begin": https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration To dive even deeper, enrollments in to The Essence of Liberty Online Academy are now open! Go to the link below to find out more : https://www.nadinelindblom.com/the-essence-of-liberty-online-academy-2025 Follow @nadinelindblom on Instagram for daily insights: https://www.instagram.com/nadinelindblom/