Taking Back The Reins with Dina Shale

Hosted by Dina Shale

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May 2026

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About the show

Taking Back The Reins is for individuals that have ‘lost’ their way, who know they want to transform their life, rebuild relationships and recover from trauma. You're tired of feeling lost, like everyday is an uphill battle and disconnected from yourself and others around you. You may be struggling with PTSD or CPTSD, and are ready to access post-traumatic growth. You know you have it in you, you just need to understand how animals and nature can help turn your trauma around with personal development. Hosted by Dina Shale, leading trauma-informed equine specialist and founder of CPD accredited flagship programme 'Project Pony', as featured in the Daily Mail. You'll learn how to facilitate self-empowerment with unique equine therapy methods. This is the show for you to learn about the benefits of using animals in a personal therapeutic way, feel more connected, leaving you with the route to stress-free, peaceful life. This podcast is the one to listen to if you're wanting to take back the reins on your life.

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60 recent

May 18, 202613 min

Why Most Equestrian Businesses Fail Too Soon (And How to Keep Going)

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.Using a surprisingly powerful comparison between selling bread in a small honesty-box pantry and selling equine therapy services, Dina explains why passion alone isn’t enough. Your audience needs to understand:what problem you solve,why your work matters,and how your services help transform lives.This episode is packed with practical advice for horse business owners, equine facilitators, coaches, and anyone trying to grow a purpose-led business around horses.In This Episode:Why most horse businesses struggle in the beginningThe importance of clear messaging and marketingHow to identify your ideal clientWhy consistency matters more than perfectionHow to refine your offer instead of constantly starting overThe “bread analogy” that completely changed Dina’s approach to businessWhy equestrian businesses are a slow burn — but worth itKey Takeaway:People won’t buy what they don’t understand.Your job is not just to offer something amazing — it’s to clearly communicate the transformation you provide.Mentioned in This Episode:The Way of the HorseDina’s Accelerator ClientsUpcoming Free Training – 17th MayIf you’re building an equestrian business and feeling discouraged, this episode will remind you why persistence, clarity, and connection matter more than quick wins.Until next time…Keep walking towards what’s calling you.

March 9, 20268 min

Busy Isn’t Productive: The One Priority That Actually Grows Your Equestrian Business

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 things off gives you momentum. But often, it’s filled with small, comfortable tasks that keep you moving… while the actions that truly grow your business quietly get pushed aside.This conversation is a practical, honest look at how to protect your passion from burnout — and how to focus on the work that actually moves the needle.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why your to-do list might be sabotaging your growthThe difference between motion and meaningful progressHow the 80/20 rule applies to equestrian businessesWhy “perfecting” small details can delay real resultsThe one question you should ask yourself every morningHow to identify the single priority that impacts income or peace of mindA simple 5-minute daily reset to reduce overwhelmWhy momentum comes from focused action — not endless busynessParvez shares practical business insights alongside relatable examples from yard life, lessons, admin overload, and the constant juggle equestrian entrepreneurs face.If you’ve ever:Spent hours tweaking a flyer instead of calling potential clientsReorganised the feed room instead of sending invoicesDesigned a logo before confirming bookingsFelt exhausted but unsure what actually moved your business forwardThis episode will help you reset.Your TakeawayBefore you finish listening, ask yourself:What is the ONE thing this week that would make the biggest difference to my income or peace of mind?Then block 90 minutes and protect it.Small, deliberate, focused action — repeated consistently — will always outperform scattered busywork.You’re not behind.You’re not failing.You just need clarity.And that starts with one priority at a time.

February 23, 202618 min

Building an Equestrian Business the Real Way: What I Stopped Doing (and What I’d Do Again)

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-facilitated learning business and charitable organisation. No funnels, no hype—just honest reflections, hard-earned wisdom, and practical guidance for equestrian entrepreneurs who want longevity, not burnout.Dina walks you through three things she stopped doing that were holding her business back, and three things she would absolutely do again if she were starting from scratch.In this episode, we explore:Why chasing one-off work and random enquiries isn’t sustainableThe importance of relationships over scattered bookingsHow underpricing leads to exhaustion, resentment, and burnoutCharging in a way that reflects your training, experience, land, horses, and emotional labourWhy having clear processes and procedures is non-negotiableLetting go of trying to help everyone and focusing on your ideal clientBuilding a business model based on aligned, repeat work (not hustle)Growing slowly and methodically—and why that’s a strength, not a weaknessStarting an email list early and building a relationship with your audienceWhy working with someone who truly understands the equestrian niche mattersFinding your voice, refining your message, and speaking clearly about what you actually offerThis episode is for equestrian entrepreneurs, facilitators, and dreamers who want to build something meaningful—without losing themselves in the process.✨ If you’re ready to stop guessing, start structuring, and build a business that supports you as much as it supports others, this one’s for you.👉 Learn more about working with the Equestrian Business Strategist in the show notes.Until next time, keep walking towards what’s calling you—and keep taking back the reins. 🐎

February 16, 202611 min

Mindset Before Marketing: The Inner Work Behind a Sustainable Equestrian Business

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 shares honest insights into how mindset can either quietly sabotage your progress—or become your greatest asset.This episode is especially for equestrian entrepreneurs who lead with heart, passion, and purpose, but sometimes find themselves stuck in fear, overthinking, or self-doubt.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why mindset matters more than strategy in the early and growing stages of businessHow fear, procrastination, and “I’m not good enough” loops show up for purpose-led foundersThe difference between making decisions from fear vs intuitionHow small, practical mindset practices can create big internal shiftsWhy mindset isn’t about perfection—but about how you meet challengesHow focusing on possibility changes your energy, confidence, and directionSimple ways to anchor yourself back into clarity when business feels overwhelmingDina also shares the mindset tools that helped her move through fear, rebuild trust in herself, and stay focused during some of the most challenging periods of her business—while still caring for horses, clients, and community.This isn’t about toxic positivity.It’s about awareness, consistency, and choosing how you show up—every single day.If you’re building an equestrian business and want it to be sustainable, aligned, and resilient, this episode will help you reset your focus and reconnect with your “why.”🎧 Listen now and start building your business from the inside out.

January 26, 202611 min

Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough: The Hidden Mistakes Holding Charities Back

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, commercial discipline, and mindset are essential — even in purpose-led work.In this episode, we explore:The “If we build it, they will come” fallacy — and why community needs must come before new projectsWhy charities need commercial thinking, not just goodwillThe danger of “all tears, no hope” storytelling — and how it leads to donor fatigueHow to engage supporters through solutions, skills, and shared ownership, not just funding asksThe risk of the founder becoming the single point of failureWhy leadership mindset directly impacts sustainability, staff wellbeing, and organisational healthThis conversation is for charity leaders, founders, and CEOs who feel the weight of responsibility — and are ready to build something that works with them, not only because of them.☕️ These episodes are designed to feel like a calm, honest conversation over coffee — offering insight, reassurance, and practical reflection for those carrying a lot.🎧 In upcoming episodes, Dina and Parvez will go deeper into structure, sustainability, and mindset — creating a safe space for leaders to learn, reflect, and grow.

January 19, 202615 min

Common Charity Mistakes: The Passion Trap, Shiny Objects & Real Impact

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 charity sector, Dina and Parvez explore the real, often unspoken challenges leaders face when they’re carrying responsibility, pressure, and accountability largely on their own.In this episode, we discuss:The “Passion Trap” — when founders unintentionally become the bottleneckChasing shiny objects on social media instead of clear, intentional communicationThe difference between being busy and creating real impactWhy clarity, trust, and simple objectives matter more than complex strategiesThis is an honest, grounded conversation designed to feel like sitting down for a cup of tea with someone who truly understands the realities of leading a purpose-driven organisation.🎧 In the next episode, we’ll continue the conversation and explore sustainability, growth, and mindset in the charity and not-for-profit space.

January 13, 202614 min

The Right People in the Right Room: Building Sustainable Charities and Purpose-Led Work

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, leadership, delivery, and large-scale transformation. Those years shaped how he thinks about execution, failure, governance, and why having the right people in the right room at the right time matters more than good intentions alone.Together, Dina and Parvez reflect on:Moving from commercial success into the charity and not-for-profit sectorThe hidden pressures faced by CEOs and charity leadersWhy many charities struggle to become sustainableThe tension between trustees, volunteers, and paid leadershipHow commercial thinking can strengthen purpose-led work without losing heartWhy leaders often feel isolated—and where they can find real supportThis conversation marks the beginning of an ongoing series where Dina and Parvez will share honest discussions, lived experience, and practical insights to support leaders who are carrying a lot and don’t always know where to turn next.If you’re leading a charity, not-for-profit, or values-driven organisation—and you’re trying to balance vision, governance, and sustainability—this episode is for you.

November 3, 202518 min

New Beginnings and Bold Moves: Building Our Future in Lincolnshire

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 the success of The Accelerator programme, summer work with the HAF team, exciting new retreats with Moon & Main, and her continued passion for equine therapy, sound healing, and community projects. Dina also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at upcoming website updates, training opportunities, and collaborations that are helping others build sustainable, heart-led organisations.Whether you’re an equine facilitator, a business owner, or simply someone who loves stories of resilience and purpose, this episode offers inspiration, insight, and hope for the year ahead.Timestamps00:00 Introduction – Welcome back and what’s ahead01:20 Moving from Leicestershire to Lincolnshire: The leap of faith03:30 Rebuilding and restarting the business from the ground up05:10 Reflections on The Accelerator and new student journeys07:00 Highlights from a busy summer with the HAF programme08:30 Renovation projects, new facilities, and on-site improvements09:45 Collaborations with Moon & Main and upcoming retreats10:50 Partnering with coach Parvez Bhatti: Building sustainable charities13:00 Lessons in community, growth, and starting over15:00 Upcoming events: retreats, Echo Sound sessions, and more17:00 Website updates, new booking options, and future plans18:05 Final reflections – excitement, gratitude, and what’s next

October 28, 202517 min

Listening to Your Emotions: What Horses Can Teach Us About Inner Wisdom

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.Drawing from her experience as a somatic experiencing practitioner, Dina shares how suppressing emotions disconnects us from our inner wisdom, and how reconnecting with our “felt sense” helps us make aligned, confident decisions.You’ll also hear a powerful personal story where trusting emotional intuition helped her avoid a life-changing mistake—and how emotions, when understood, can become one of our greatest guides.Whether you’re healing from trauma, working with horses, or simply learning to listen to your body’s messages, this episode will inspire you to see emotions not as weakness, but as wisdom.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and welcome back to Taking Back the Reins00:25 – Emotions as information: learning to listen to what feelings tell us01:15 – Why most of us were never taught emotional awareness02:25 – How horses read emotions through energy and body scanning04:10 – Fear, anger, sadness: decoding emotional cues for humans05:00 – Tuning into emotions when working with rescue horses06:30 – Understanding somatic experiencing and emotional disconnection07:45 – Story: when listening to emotions prevented a major mistake10:45 – Trusting your intuition and building confidence in decisions12:30 – Realizing emotions never lie — they guide us to truth13:50 – Processing emotions vs. retelling the story of trauma14:45 – How emotional awareness deepens connection with your horse15:40 – Big Harry: the horse that taught emotional wisdom16:10 – Closing reflections: feel, listen, and process—don’t fix or bury emotions16:45 – Invitation to join the Highway to Healing community

October 6, 202515 min

From Project Pony to The Accelerator: Harnessing Horses for Healing & Transformation

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 Dina calls her “portal of transformation.”Whether you’re curious about equine-assisted learning, thinking about becoming a facilitator, or seeking tools to step into your soul’s purpose, this episode offers wisdom, real-life stories, and encouragement to take back the reins of your own life.