The Essence of Liberty Podcast

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...

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...

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 t...

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 f...

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 epi...

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...

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 patt...

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 w...

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...

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 move...

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 creati...

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 fe...

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 dis...

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 conven...

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...

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 e...

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 fo...

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 he...

Ever dreamed of seeing your horse piaffe at liberty? Not because you trained it like a trick—but because your horse felt it, owned it, and offered it from a place of strength, play, and confidence? In this episode of The Essence of Liberty Podcast, I’m diving into 8 elements that go into creating collected movements at liberty—without tack, without pressure, and without drilling. From emotional en...

In this episode, we explore the crucial differences between horse and human brains and how these differences profoundly affect communication, connection, and behavior interpretation with your horse. You'll discover why horses aren't deliberately misbehaving and learn how adopting a feeling-centered approach in training can significantly deepen your bond and improve your training outcomes. Dive int...

Training your horse in the field, surrounded by their friends, has so many benefits! Not only is it easier for you (no trips to the arena 🙌), but your horse feels safest near their herd.
 That sense of safety opens the door to connection, curiosity, learning, and play—all the best ingredients for liberty training! 🥰✨ But when food rewards enter the mix, issues like resource guarding can pop up....

Have you ever wondered if embracing liberty horsemanship means giving up riding or other activities with your horse? Maybe you have wondered if starting liberty means that your horse *always* needs to be at liberty, no matter what you are doing with them… Or if involving food rewards into training means that you need to use food rewards ALL. THE. TIME…. You're not alone—these are some of the most...

Do you ever feel like your horse is glued to you, making it tricky to ask him to give you more distance? Or do you worry that your horse will disconnect from you the moment you ask him to increase the distance? If so, this episode is for you! When your horse can give you distance and still remain connected, there is SO much more you can do together! This creates opportunities to work with playful...

In this episode, I reveal a simple yet powerful practice that I never skip at the beginning of any liberty session—whether I'm working with a horse new to liberty or my own experienced horses. Taking a moment to do this will influence your entire session. It helps you understand your horse’s mindset, structure the session with intention, and create a positive, enjoyable experience for both of you....

In this episode, we dive into the often misunderstood behavior of so-called 'lazy' or unmotivated horses. I share a simple yet powerful technique that can spark genuine motivation, allowing your horse to engage willingly rather than feeling pressured. If you’ve ever wondered how to inspire more interest and enthusiasm in your training, this episode is for you! If you love this podcast, you will al...