Taking Back The Reins with Dina Shale

In this episode of Taking Back the Reins , Dina Shale dives into one of the biggest challenges equestrian entrepreneurs face: giving up too early. After building The Way of the Horse since 2015 and rebuilding her business multiple times — including starting over completely after moving to Lincolnshire — Dina shares the honest reality of what it takes to create a sustainable equestrian business. Us...

It’s 7am. You’re in the yard. The horses are impatient. Your phone is buzzing. And your to-do list is already out of control. Sound familiar? In this episode of Taking Back the Reins , Dina is joined by Parvez to talk about one of the biggest traps equestrian entrepreneurs fall into: confusing being busy with making real progress . Because let’s be honest — the to-do list feels productive. Ticking...

Building an equestrian business isn’t about overnight success, shiny Instagram launches, or chasing every opportunity that comes your way. It’s about doing the work slowly, intentionally, and sustainably—with the horses at the heart of it all. In this episode of Taking Back the Reins , Dina Shale shares the real, behind-the-scenes lessons she’s learned over 15 years of building an equine-facilitat...

Before strategy. Before marketing. Before money. Your mindset is the real foundation of a sustainable equestrian business. In this episode of Taking Back the Reins , Dina Shale dives deep into the inner work that must come before growth, visibility, or income. Drawing from her own lived experience of building an equestrian business through major life changes, uncertainty, fear, and expansion, Dina...

Good intentions start charities — but they don’t sustain them. In this episode of Taking Back the Reins, Dina Shale continues the conversation on the deeper, often unspoken challenges that stop charities and not-for-profits from growing, thriving, and becoming sustainable long-term. Together with Parvez, Dina explores why passion alone can lead organisations into difficulty, and how clarity, comme...

Running a charity or not-for-profit often starts with passion — but passion alone isn’t enough to sustain it. In this episode of Taking Back the Reins, Dina Shale is joined by Parvez for the first conversation in a new mini-series focused on the most common mistakes charities and not-for-profits make — and how to avoid them. Drawing on decades of experience across the corporate world and the chari...

In this episode of Taking Back the Reins, Dina Shale is joined by Parvez to explore what it truly takes to build sustainable charities, not-for-profits, and purpose-led organisations—especially when passion is high, but support and structure are stretched. Parvez shares his journey as a first-generation migrant who spent two decades in global investment banking, working across technology, leadersh...

In this episode of Taking Back the Reins , host Dina Shale shares a heartfelt update on how the past year has shaped her equine-facilitated learning journey in Lincolnshire. From rebuilding her business after a bold move from Leicestershire to forming inspiring collaborations for 2026, Dina reflects on the growth, challenges, and gratitude that come with following your purpose. You’ll hear about t...

In this episode of Taking Back the Reins , host Dina Shale explores how emotions serve as vital information—guiding us toward what feels right or wrong, when to act, and when to rest. Through the lens of trauma-informed equine facilitated learning , Dina explains how horses naturally read emotions as cues for survival and connection—and how we, too, can tune into that same emotional intelligence....

In this episode of Taking Back the Reins , host Dina Shale shares the inspiring journey behind Project Pony and The Accelerator —two groundbreaking equine-facilitated learning programmes designed to help people overcome trauma, stress, and life’s challenges. Discover how a framework born during the pandemic has evolved into a powerful path of healing, transformation, and empowerment—inside what Di...

In this episode of Taking Back the Reins , Deena welcomes guest Gordon Forsyth, Chair of PACT (Parents and Autistic Children Together) , to explore the realities of raising and supporting neurodivergent children. Drawing from two decades of lived experience as a parent and advocate, Gordon shares openly about the challenges families face, the lessons learned through trial and error, and the power...

After years of study, practice, and perseverance, Dina has completed her three-year journey to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner — a milestone that has reshaped both her personal healing and her professional work with horses. In this deeply personal episode, she opens up about the struggles and setbacks along the way, the determination to keep rebuilding, and the profound sense of purpose...

In this special episode of Taking Back the Reins , Dina welcomes Mel Malcolm, a devoted listener who traveled all the way from New Zealand to connect in person. Mel opens up about her journey — from growing up on a farm, facing life challenges, and experiencing a mental health crisis, to discovering the healing power of horses. Her story is both deeply personal and universally inspiring, showing h...

Did you know that your energy, emotions, and mindset directly affect your horse? Horses are incredibly sensitive to our non-verbal cues, heart rate, and emotional state—meaning that how you feel and think can shape your horse’s behaviour and connection with you. In this episode, I dive into: ✅ How horses mirror our energy and emotions ✅ The science behind Heart Math and how your heart rate influ...

Workplace stress, burnout, and disengagement are more common than ever—but what if the key to a thriving team isn’t more policies, but more understanding? In this episode, we explore what it truly means to be trauma-informed in the workplace and why it’s essential for creating a culture of safety, trust, and resilience. Join me as we break down the signs of trauma in workplace behavior,...

In this heartfelt episode, I share the inspiring journey of working with Client A, who recently completed a somatic healing process. Together, we worked through discharging the stored 'charge' from her nervous system, allowing her to embody a profound sense of change and transformation. I reflect on how powerful and emotional this experience was, not just for her but for me as her guide. Join me a...

In this episode, I share insights from my recent training in London, where I deepened my understanding of somatic healing and how it applies to equine-facilitated therapy. We’ll explore how horses use their bodies somatically to process stress, regulate their nervous systems, and maintain balance—offering powerful lessons for our own well-being. Discover why these natural processes are transformat...

What You Will Learn: 1. How retreats can have a huge benefit on you as a person. 2. How our retreats are very spiritual. 3. We learn about the accommodation. 4. We learn about the structure of the day. 5. How retreats are a fast track to finding yourself. FINAL WORDS: Retreats are the fastest growing industry as everyone wants everything in their lives to come now!  We can lear...

In this episode of Taking Back the Reins, I explore the nuances of trauma and its profound effects on relationships. I discuss various types of trauma that people might not recognize and delves into how these traumas impact trust, emotional reactivity, and intimacy in relationships. I share personal experiences and explain how trauma can lead to hypervigilance and control issues. I also highlight...

In this episode, I talk about returning after a hiatus, discussing our recent move to Lincolnshire and our work with horses. I delve into the fascinating subject of childhood experiences and pre and perinatal trauma, exploring how early somatic memories impact later life. The discussion covers the storage of these memories in the nervous system, the impact of traumatic births, and the importance o...

Step into my world in this episode as I take you behind the scenes of our latest CPD accredited equine facilitated learning coach course, Project Pony™. I'll share with you the remarkable journey our trainee coaches undertook, giving you a firsthand account of their experiences and achievements. From overcoming logistical challenges to witnessing profound personal growth, every moment of our inten...

Join me on this episode of Taking Back the Reins as I delve into my transformative journey during my second week of training at Somatic International in London. After recovering from foot surgery, I embarked on this immersive experience, discovering profound insights that have reshaped my approach to equine facilitated learning. I recount my days in London, navigating intensive training sessions w...

Join us on "Taking Back the Reins" as your host Dina Shale delves into the profound journey of manifestation. In this episode, Dina shares her remarkable odyssey of chasing a dream close to her heart for over two decades. From rediscovering a love for horses to nurturing a vision of a home overlooking her beloved animals, Dina reflects on the challenges, setbacks, and eventual triumphs that marked...

In this heartfelt episode of Taking Back the Reins, my emotions soar as I reveal the thrilling news—I've finally exchanged on our forever home! Embarking on a journey that traces back to nearly two decades of dreaming, the episode unfolds the saga of perseverance, resilience, and unwavering determination. I recount a year-long quest, exploring over 30 properties across different corners of the cou...

Join me in an inspiring conversation on "Taking Back The Reins" with Emma Johnson, the visionary founder of Emma Johnson And Co. Emma, recognized as the Queen of Automation, shares her transformative journey empowering female coaches, therapists, and service-based business owners to achieve remarkable success with simplicity, sustainability, and joy. Explore Emma's remarkable story as she unveils...