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/

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.

Why this episode is different and why I wanted to create a full breakdown of the Academy and its purpose.

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.

Redefining liberty as genuine freedom of choice for the horse.
How this shift changes motivation, expression, and connection.

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.

A clear pathway from beginner to advanced liberty training.
Learning through the real journeys of three very different 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.

Set Up for Success
Contact & Connection
Rewards & Gentle Guidance
Advancing the Training

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.

A supportive private group for questions, sharing wins, and Saturday Celebrations.
Direct access to me for thoughtful answers and guidance.

Priority access and exclusive discounts for online coaching calls (live or video review).
Members always receive scheduling priority.

Beginners who want a gentle, ethical foundation from the start.
Advanced horse people wanting to fill gaps, refine skills, and deepen understanding.

Those only interested in flashy tricks without considering the horse’s emotional state.
Those unwilling to work with positive reinforcement or food rewards.

Stories of horses regaining motivation, confidence, and joy.
Students releasing guilt and finding a true sense of partnership.

“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.

One-time payment and payment plan options available.
An invitation to join a supportive, like-minded community.

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

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/