Dr. Nadine Lindblom
The Essence of Liberty Online Academy
Understand your horse’s mind and subtle body language at new depths, build a powerful connection, motivate without escalating pressure or force, and advance your liberty training beyond your wildest dreams…
All while giving your horse total choice and freedom.
If you dream of…
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Your horse wholeheartedly choosing you, showing up to training sessions with an enthusiastic spark, and easily ignoring distractions.
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An effortlessly fluid connection where you move, and your horse moves with you. She tries something new, and you flow with her.
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Your horse feeling free, autonomous, and empowered, while behaving safely, responding to subtle requests, and embracing new invitations in training.
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A relationship fueled by curiosity, two‑way communication, and playfulness.
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Influencing your horse from across the pasture with subtle body movements, staying connected even at a distance.
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Trusting that you’re safe when your horse offers powerful movement, because you’ve built clear communication and essential boundaries.
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Finally discovering that one “missing piece” in your training puzzle, and experiencing the “magical” connection you’ve always dared to dream of.
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Feeling soft, calm, relaxed, and open in your body whenever you’re with your horse, and sensing that she feels the same.
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Understanding your horse’s subtle body language, needs, and behaviors so your two‑way communication becomes crystal clear.
But, you’re struggling with…
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The overwhelming sense that something in your relationship & training is just… missing, and you can’t pinpoint what it is, despite endless hours of study and practice. You’re close, but not quite there.
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Feeling frustrated by advice like, “make the wrong thing hard, and the right thing easy.” but you want a genuine connection, rather than being the “less difficult option”
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A horse that’s either overly excited by food rewards and becoming pushy, OR so relaxed from positive reinforcement training that now you can’t seem to get that lively energy you want… and you don’t want to resort to escalating pressure
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The heartbreaking fear that if you allow your horse true choice, he’ll never fully choose you. It feels vulnerable to offer freedom when you’re not sure he’ll stay.
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Finding a framework that aligns with your empathetic, horse-centered values… AND gets you actual training results.
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The daily disappointment when your horse doesn’t seem to want to be with you. Whether he flees at the sight of the halter, or drifts out of connection during liberty sessions, it leaves you feeling defeated and unsure of how to move forward.
If this resonates, the Essence of Liberty Online Academy was crafted for you.
“The Essence of Liberty Online Academy has brought back the joy of working with my horses. We’ve reached a whole new level of play and connection. At the end of the course I can honestly say I developed more during the course than I have during the last two years since I’ve had my own horses.”
Nina Andersson, Sweden
What is Liberty?
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A horse “at liberty” has the freedom to choose whether to participate, or leave.
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Rather than relying on escalating pressure, flooding, dominance, or force,
liberty relies on a genuine connection through communication, trust, and positive reinforcement.
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Liberty is about building the horse up mentally, physically, and emotionally,
rather than suppressing him into submission and compliance.
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A horse that feels at liberty shines differently.
He has a sparkle in his eye, radiates curiosity and confidence, and his movements become free and expressive!
Are you ready to liberate your horse?
Dr. Nadine Lindblom
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Hi, I’m Nadine!
I created The Essence of Liberty Online Academy because I know the feeling of defeat that comes with having a horse who doesn’t want to connect.
I’ve devoted 17 years to learning how to build a genuine connection with horses, and I’m thrilled to share this beautiful, effective way with you.
My Journey
My journey officially began when I got my first pony, Twinkles, at 13. I was so excited to have a horse that was finally mine. I imagined her galloping to me in the field, nuzzling my shoulder and putting her head in the halter, ready to go for a ride.
Oh boy - I was so wrong! Twinkles seemed like she hated me. She would bite, kick, and run away. She hated the sight of the saddle. When we went riding, she spent the entire time trying to turn back home.
I was devastated.
I was told to “show her who’s boss.” So, I started reprimanding her behaviour, and eventually she complied.
But deep down it felt… wrong. I knew that if she had a choice, she wouldn’t do any of the things I wanted. I didn’t feel like her friend, I felt like she tolerated me - because she didn’t have any other choice.
When I discovered Natural Horsemanship (mainly based on pressure & release), I thought I had found a better way to communicate with horses. I was doing advanced “liberty”, trick training, bridleless riding - I even started teaching and running clinics. But something was still missing.
My horses lacked that sparkle in their eyes. They always gave me the bare minimum, and our “liberty” only worked in small, enclosed spaces. I realized that even with this improved method… I was using force.
It wasn’t liberty, it was obedience.
I longed for my horses to be enthusiastic, interested and playful, and I realised that escalating pressure was not going to achieve that. I began respecting my horse’s “no” and experimenting with positive reinforcement.
That’s when everything changed.
Suddenly, there was something in it for my horses. They became interested, engaged and motivated. I was able to communicate with them gently because force was no longer the motivator!
On top of that, I was a much kinder human to be around. My horses realised that they could trust me not to pressure them, and that I would always listen.
I’ve been exploring liberty and ethical horse training for over 17 years. While the horses have been my greatest teachers, I’ve also had the pleasure of learning from trainers across Europe and Australia.
In 2020, I earned my Bachelor of Veterinary Science - and after practicing as an equine veterinarian for a few years, I decided to turn my focus back to my passion of horsemanship and continue providing evidence-based and ethical training techniques to equestrians around the world.
Through The Essence of Liberty Online Academy, I share my signature framework that I’ve refined for over a decade, so that you (and your horses!) can experience the joy of liberty.
Join me, and let’s embark on this incredible journey together, transforming the way you understand, communicate and connect with your horse!
Everything You Get Access To
The transformative self-paced online program designed to help you build a deep, trusting connection with your horse through equine psychology, positive reinforcement, attunement, play and gentle communication.
4 In-Depth Modules
From the first conversation to advanced communication. You follow Levi, Billie and Nellie, three horses with no previous experience of liberty and vastly different personalities, so you see how the approach changes for each horse.
20+ Hours Of Bonus Content
Explained sessions with my own horses, new exercises, clinic content and more, plus an extra module on Posture Play & Collection.
The Academy Inner Circle
A private space inside the Liberty Herd app, just for Academy members, where you can ask questions and have discussions with each other and with me.
12 Months Access To The Liberty Herd
Ask The Herd, Find Your Herd, exclusive podcast episodes and the Liberty Herd app. A global community of horse people to share the journey with.
What You’ll Learn
Set Up For Success
MODULE #1
In this module, I’ll show you exactly how to set your horse up for success so that she’s willing and able to say “YES” to your invitation. In this module, you will dive into:
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The Essence of Liberty Training: I’ll reveal the true meaning of liberty that leads to the connected feeling you’ve been searching for… Plus, the core principles that you’ll carry with you forever.
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Equine Psychology: Learn the key differences and similarities between the horse and human brain, autonomic nervous system, and emotions to revolutionize the way you handle, train, and communicate with horses.
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How Training Actually Works: Get a behind the scenes look into how science has completely debunked harmful, outdated beliefs such as “dominance” or “leadership” having any place in training.
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Understand Your Horse’s Needs: If you’re like most people, you may have missed some essential steps to keeping your horse healthy. Receive detailed guidance on welfare non-negotiables from a veterinarian’s perspective.
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Train Your Eye: Learn how to spot pain, discomfort, or health concerns with precision, to catch issues before they get worse, and spare your horse from training through pain.
Contact & Connection
MODULE #2
Learn how to create genuine connection, relaxation and two-way communication with your horse at liberty, without force, coercion, or fear.
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How to select a training space that helps your horse feel relaxed, safe and able to connect from the start
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How to prevent and work through separation anxiety, without “moving their feet” or using punishment
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The Initiation of Contact exercise, which lays the foundation for two-way communication and helps your horse become more confident, curious and engaged
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Touch for Relaxation, a powerful exercise for helping your horse soften, regulate and experience your touch as something they can genuinely relax into
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Raw, unedited training sessions with three very different horses, so you can see exactly how I adapt the approach to the individual in front of me
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The building blocks I use to nurture connection and strengthen relationships, while still creating clear, ethical boundaries so you can both feel safe and confident
Rewards & Gentle Guidance
MODULE #3
In this module, you’ll learn how horses really learn, and how to combine food rewards with gentle guidance, so your horse is working towards something good and genuinely wants to say yes.
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How horses learn, and what actually motivates them to enthusiastically engage in training sessions.
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Become more informed than the majority of horse owners by studying the psychology of different types of learning, with a specific focus on operant conditioning.
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The in-depth psychology of positive reinforcement, why it’s a fantastic training tool when used systematically, and how to prevent undesirable behaviors and emotions, like the dreaded “cookie monster.”
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“Gentle Guidance,” my signature process for using “negative reinforcement” in an ethical way, emphasizing the importance of using non-escalating pressure and giving your horse time to search and discover the correct response.
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Step by step processes for introducing food rewards to your horse properly, without accidentally creating mugging, biting, or pushing.
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How to establish boundaries in a way that does not harm the relationship.
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Real-life examples and raw video footage of introducing rewards and gentle guidance to Levi, Nellie, and Billie.
Advancing The Training
MODULE #4
In this module, you’ll learn how to refine your communication and watch your horse connect & respond to you in a whole new way.
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How to move together, in fluid, quiet synchronicity
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Learn to maintain connection, even if your horse becomes unsure, stressed, or energetic.
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Learn how to use your intention and energy to guide and influence your horse’s movement (gait, direction, and transitions).
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Play with patterns and obstacles to heighten your communication to new levels
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Regulate your horse’s emotions using the concept & skill of mental transitions
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Discover how to teach your horse to lie down at liberty
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Preserve and enhance your horse’s motivation with a few essential methods
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Understand facial expressions and the reasons behind why many liberty horses lay their ears back
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Understand why common problems come up, and how to solve them
Enjoy 5 Free Bonuses When You Join
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Normally $697FreeYou also receive access to over 20 hours of MORE bonus material! Here you will find material that has been added since the launch of the course. This includes explained sessions with Nadine’s own horses, new specific exercises, additional tips & tricks, clinic content AND more!
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Normally $297FreeIn this bonus module you will follow Billie in his introduction to posture play and collection! Here you will find out where this journey begins and even delve into an entire hour of theory that explore the important aspects surrounding collection at liberty.
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Normally $297FreeA private space exclusively reserved for Academy members, where you can ask questions and have discussions with each other and with me.
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Save $50 per call
As a member of the academy, you receive exclusive discounts on one-on-one coaching with Nadine.
Ongoing savings!
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Normally $108 AUD/yearFree12 months of The Liberty Herd: the community, exclusive podcast episodes, Find Your Herd and the Liberty Herd app.
“Nadine truly makes learning fun! Her way of explaining things, no matter how ‘simple’ or ‘complicated’ is clear and concise, and she makes sitting down to her course fun, engaging and so rewarding! Since starting the course, I have gained a whole different mindset that I have been able to apply when working with both Levi and other horses.
I cannot recommend to people enough that if they get the chance to work with, learn from or just be around Nadine, it is truly worth your time!”
Louise Cooper, Qld, Australia
Join A Global Community With 1,000+ Horse Lovers
When the Horse Says Yes
“Within just a few months, I had a completely clear connection and communication with my horse - and you can actually see on his face that he wants to engage.”
True Liberty, Real Choice
“I learned that what I thought was liberty wasn’t true liberty at all - because the animal didn’t have a real choice to walk away.”
From Resistance to Play
“My horses didn’t want to come near me when they knew I was in work mode. Now they want to participate - and they offer everything.”
The Art of Conversation
“Every single one of our horses has surprised us with what they’re willing to offer.”
The Academy is Most Powerful for Two Kinds of People
1. You’re a Beginner/Intermediate
- This course covers the most essential topics everyone needs to know, from the ground up. You don’t need to be advanced to get the MOST out of this educational path.
- In fact, this is the perfect place to start. You have fewer traditional habits & beliefs to unravel, and you get to start your journey from a gentle, science-based, connected place. I wish I had a course exactly like this at the beginning of my journey, and I would be thrilled to be a part of yours!
2. You Have Decades of Experience
- Countless Academy students who came into the course with extensive experience (in multiple methods of training) have said that it was absolutely life-changing.
- It’ll fill gaps in your understanding of equine neurobiology, behavior, and training science, and show you how to reach more advanced levels of liberty in a gentle way.
- It’s likely your experience with liberty is either all based on pressure and release, OR food rewards, whereas this course reveals a unique blend where the horse has autonomy and freedom; and the sessions use connection and intrinsic motivation, not JUST food rewards.
Follow Along With 3 Horses Moving From Beginner to Intermediate at Liberty
Throughout the four modules, you will follow Levi, Billie & Nellie in their first 13 sessions of liberty, each with their own vastly different personalities. Read more about them below.
These horses were specifically chosen for the academy to ensure that students are able to relate their horse to one or more of these horses.
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Levi exudes confidence, playfulness, and sociability. Though eager to learn, he occasionally gets a bit too close when engaged in play, so setting clear and consistent boundaries while preserving his playful spirit was key!
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Billie has struggled with food anxiety & aggression in the past and demonstrated some signs of pushiness and anxiety around food rewards. Billie also carries himself in a poor posture, so towards the end of the training series, we explored a little bit of posture play!
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Nellie is an incredibly sweet mare but has a history that has led her to become very unsure around humans and whips. She had learned that she was helpless and not in control over what happens to her. During the training, her confidence blossoms until she is even able to explore a little bit of play!
“Joining the academy has changed my whole equestrian lifestyle. I’m eternally grateful that I decided to join! I had learned bits and pieces of the theory and practice behind the liberty/r+ training but only after joining the academy and watching Nadine’s lessons it all came together. Thank you for changing my and my horses lives for the better!”
Emmi, Finland
A Community Where Every Win Gets Celebrated
The Academy gives you the tools and guidance to transform the way you and your horse communicate. The Liberty Herd gives you somewhere to belong while you keep going.
The Academy Inner Circle
A space just for Academy members.
The Academy Inner Circle is a private space inside the Liberty Herd app, just for Academy members, where you can ask questions and have discussions with each other and with me.
In the wider Herd, I may pop into conversations from time to time. The Inner Circle is where you’ll find me.
12 months access to The Liberty Herd
Learning is better when you have people to share it with.
Your Academy membership includes 12 months in The Liberty Herd, a global community of horse people who are exploring many of the same questions you are.
- Ask The Herd: something happened with your horse and you’re not quite sure what to make of it? Bring it to the Herd.
- Find Your Herd: add yourself to our map and discover other members around the world. You might even discover someone nearby.
- Exclusive podcast episodes: early release and member-only episodes about horses, behaviour, training and connection.
- The Liberty Herd app: your herd, in your pocket.
Celebrations
Because not everything needs to be a problem that needs solving.
Tell us when your horse finally chose to come over. When something clicked. When you had the loveliest little session. Or when your horse did something so ridiculous that you simply need other horse people to appreciate it.
The little things matter here.
This is also where many members connect with others in their local area and build meaningful friendships. Because although The Liberty Herd lives online… I hope some of the friendships created here won’t.
Most importantly, the community is a safe, kind, and judgment-free space, for both you and your horse.
Scroll down to see what our members are celebrating 🌿
Take A Further Look Into Nadine’s Philosophy
“My philosophy and approach revolves around establishing a strong connection between horse and human, and providing the horse with choice and autonomy”
Horses are incredibly peaceful creatures and will always search for the path of least resistance and, therefore, it is (in most cases) easy to coerce a horse into obedience.
However, in these situations the horse will often lack the beautiful expression, motivation, play and power that comes with freedom of choice.
I incorporate trick training as a tool to enhance communication and improve the relationship. I also incorporate “power postures” and collected movements to help the horse find more confidence, balance and strength!
The communication relies on slow, gentle (non-escalating or forceful) guidance, always giving the horse time to think and the option to leave.
Rewards (positive reinforcement) are used to help motivate the horse to follow and search through the guidance!
Hear It From Our Members
“What drew me to Dr. Nadine’s work is the way her horses LOVE TO BE WITH HER.
Most trainers I see in person and online have animals in a state of learned helplessness. Although they obey, they lack any playfulness and spark in their soul. They appear listless and machine-like.
Nadine is one of the few trainers that has found a way to PRESERVE the horse’s playful spirit rather than suppress it on the journey to make them a ridable horse. Of those few I have found, most of them have an air of mystery and “horse whisperer” aura about them that make them difficult to understand. Their methods have a haze of mythology around them that, although is certainly intriguing and something to learn from, makes it difficult to derive a technical method which you can apply at home to your own animals.
Nadine’s course neither is dressed in pretty verbal distractions or based on making the horse do something by depriving of them of any other options. Her psychological and physiological knowledge of the horse, common training methods, and how she introduces us to the method from this background knowledge, leaves no holes for ambiguity.
Nadine has no “tricks”, “magic tools”, “magic words”, or “quick fixes”. It’s all very real, bare and scientific, allowing you to clearly see what’s happening and why she does it while introducing this new training approach to the three new horses featured in the course.
Dr. Nadine’s social media, full of her adult horses performing difficult Haute Ecole elements while also playing like foals with her, is a testament that her method does work. Most excitedly, in the barely two months I’ve been applying Dr. Nadine’s material to my own horses, I’ve seen the beginning of this vivacious in my own horses! When the course ended, I was not left without many ideas on how to pursue my own unique endeavors using the material learned in the course.
If you want a horse that engages in play with you, a TRULY EQUAL partner where both parties can walk away when they feel uncomfortable (yes, including the horse), and a dream relationship most believe to be impossible, and seemingly so few have obtained, Nadine’s course will definitely give you something to add in your horse training repertoire on that journey. Thank you so much Nadine for your hard work in creating a course that are helping me shape my lifelong equine dreams!”
Maegan Hannah Thomas
Kentucky, USA
“I can not describe with words how much I love and appreciate this course!
The platsform is easy to maneuvre and has never had any technical or graphic issues. The content is right on the head of the nail and the time and work (and heart obviously) Nadine has (and still is) put into it shows in every section. It is an honour to take part and watch Nadine when working with horses and i think so many people and horses would benefit from her way of training and thinking.
Learning and being guided by Nadine makes me feel very proud, safe a d happy when being around and training horses. It has helped me alot with my own thoughts and questions and I trust Nadine to a 100% when it comes to horse related things. If I had the chance to have Nadine as my trainer (as in coming seeing eachother for lessons and guidance) I wouldnt doubt getting myself my own horse to work with again.”
Tove Lindgren
Sweden
“I highly recommend The Essence of Liberty Online Academy!
The theory part of this course is giving a solid foundation on how to work with your horse, based on research and the anatomy and physiology of the horse. The practical part is built up from the beginning with the foundation exercises and with a progression that is easy to follow, as well as considering that different horses may need a different approach. This is also emphasized by the three very different horses we follow through their lessons and how the training can be adapted to suit the individual horse. It has been challenging but has also given me many more tools in my toolkit when working with my horse, and we have just begun our journey into liberty training.”
Siri Bjølseth
Bachelor of Equine Science, Equine Osteopath EDO
Norway
“Dr. Nadine’s approach is exactly what I was looking for.”
I am well experienced with horses, riding, starting and liberty work. I had been playing with mustangs who seem to need more conscious feel and connection from me. I have only just started but the foundation she presents is very thorough and not often taught in horsemanship lessons. I am very excited about becoming more attuned to my horses and encourage them to move in healthier ways when we play.
Katie N
Over 50 years of equine experience
USA
“Absolutely the best liberty course out there!
It has the most detailed and information packed lessons. Nadine is not only a fantastic presenter but such an amazing teacher!”
Klara Bianchini
Slovenia
Join The Essence of Liberty Academy
Everything you get
- The Essence of Liberty Academy4 in-depth modules, following Levi, Billie and Nellie $1,597
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20+ hours of exclusive bonus content
Normally $697Included -
Extra module: Posture Play & Collection
Normally $297Included -
The Academy Inner Circle
Normally $297Included - Exclusive discounts on coaching & private lessons Save $50 per call
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12 months access to The Liberty Herd
Normally $108Included
Total value
$2,996
Pay in full
$997AUD
or 3 payments of $397
- 12 months access
- 14-day money-back guarantee
After 12 months, stay on for $39 a month or $390 a year.
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Satisfaction or your money back
If you finish the primary two modules in the first 14 days and you are not satisfied, email us and we’ll give you your money back.
“I learnt more then I ever expected to in my first session and really look forward to the journey ahead! Highly recommend to anybody who is seeking to build connection, respect and love between horse and human. Thank you Nadine!”
Jordana, QLD, Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
While a majority of the content covers the “foundation” for liberty training, it is extremely comprehensive and includes a vast amount of information. During the testing phase, even the advanced liberty trainers felt that they gained much more new information and ideas from the course, and new tools to add to their toolkit!
The academy also touches on advanced exercises including transitions, going over obstacles, moving between high and low energy states and even some insights into posture play and collection.
As content is released each month, even more advanced topics will be covered!
Not at all! You can go through the modules at your own pace. You will have access to all the material for 12 months, and after that you can stay on for $39 a month or $390 a year. However, please note that one module is released per week initially to ensure that the amount of content does not become overwhelming!
YES! The academy covers the foundation of liberty training and takes you through the very first steps all the way to more experienced exercises. You do not need any prior experience.
The recommended equipment includes:
Low value food rewards such as hay pellets
High value food rewards such as carrots
A treat pouch to carry food rewards in is very handy so you can use your body more freely
Clicker (optional)
A carriage driving whip, dressage whip or lunge whip is recommended to help extend your body for clearer communication and to help create distance between you and your horse if necessary
While this training can be done out in your horses usual paddock, it is easiest if the training space is open, flat and the surface is even (without holes or obstacles to have to walk around or step over). The fencing should be safe and easy for your horse to see. An arena, large round-yard or small paddock works well. The sessions with Levi and Nellie are in a 70x40m arena and the sessions with Billie are in a 80x60m paddock. In module 2, we discuss how to choose your training space in detail!
Yes. As an Academy member you get access to the Academy Inner Circle inside The Liberty Herd community, a dedicated space where Academy members can ask questions and have discussions with each other and with me. If you’d like more focused one-on-one guidance, personal coaching is also available. You can find the details on the online coaching page here.
You are more than welcome to enroll in the academy even if you don’t currently have a horse. The course offers valuable theory and practical session videos that will equip you with a wealth of knowledge and valuable tools to enhance your horsemanship skills.
If you would like to share information about the course with a friend, you are most welcome!
However, we ask that you do not share your log in details or pass on the course contents. A massive amount of work and effort has gone into creating this academy and we hope that you respect this. All content is copyright and legal action will be taken if content is passed on or sold by anyone other than Dr Nadine Lindblom.
If you want to share the content with the academy with a friend, please forward them this link, they are welcome to join my masterclass and see if they are interested in more: https://www.nadinelindblom.com/masterclass-registration
No, all the theory and sessions with the three horses in this course is pre-recorded. However, if you have any questions feel free to post them in the community group to discuss with Nadine and other like-minded participants.
I completely understand! However, think of this program not as an expense, but as an investment in both your and your horse’s future.
Consider where you and your horse are today in your relationship and training. Is this how you would like to continue on? If you’re happy, great!
But if you want to make a change, then there will be investments along the way. You can do what I did and experiment with lots of different methods, make all of the mistakes and spend over $200,000 on different instructors, opinions, clinics, lessons and qualifications along the way... or you can skip all that and start here with evidence-based information. This program doesn’t just teach liberty; it transforms your entire approach to horsemanship and understanding of horses. It gives you a chance to dive into all the details that are often skipped in lessons and clinics due to time constraints. Also... with this program you get 30+ hours of content to go through at your own pace. How much would 30 hours of lessons cost you?
If your instructor is credible, probably a whoooole lot more than the investment into this program.
Plus, consider the value: this program and all its bonuses is worth $2,996, and you get it all for $997.
Don’t forget that we also have a 14-day money back guarantee. If in the first 14 days, you complete the first 2 modules and decide not to move on to module 3, we will give you a full refund- so its completely risk free!
“Nadine’s course is beyond incredible! She is raw, open and honest and is always about putting the horse and the relationship first. She explains everything very clearly with plenty of videos for examples. Nadine is always open to answer any questions and assist in anyway she can! I 10000% recommend this course!”
Kaitlin Bailey, QLD, Australia
Are you ready to liberate your horse?
Join The Academy4 modules Academy Inner Circle 12 months access to The Liberty Herd
