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/

In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that all R+ trainers face at some point: frustration. But here’s the twist—you don’t need to fear it. I’m sharing five powerful ways to reduce frustration in your training sessions and help your horse build emotional resilience. Whether you have a highly food-motivated horse or you’re just starting out with positive reinforcement, these strategies will help you create calmer, more connected liberty sessions.

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/