Taking Back The Reins with Dina Shale
Episodes
Busy Isn’t Productive: The One Priority That Actually Grows Your Equestrian Business
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ep...
Building an Equestrian Business the Real Way: What I Stopped Doing (and What I’d Do Again)
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Building an equestrian business isn’t about overnight success, shiny Instagram launches, or chasing every opportunity that comes your way. It’s ab...
Mindset Before Marketing: The Inner Work Behind a Sustainable Equestrian Business
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Before strategy.Before marketing.Before money.Your mindset is the real foundation of a sustainable equestrian business.In this episode of Taking Back ...
Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough: The Hidden Mistakes Holding Charities Back
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Good intentions start charities — but they don’t sustain them.In this episode of Taking Back the Reins, Dina Shale continues the conversation on t...
Common Charity Mistakes: The Passion Trap, Shiny Objects & Real Impact
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 Re...
The Right People in the Right Room: Building Sustainable Charities and Purpose-Led Work
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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-profit...
New Beginnings and Bold Moves: Building Our Future in Lincolnshire
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 jo...
Listening to Your Emotions: What Horses Can Teach Us About Inner Wisdom
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 wro...
From Project Pony to The Accelerator: Harnessing Horses for Healing & Transformation
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Taking Back the Reins, host Dina Shale shares the inspiring journey behind Project Pony and The Accelerator—two groundbreaking eq...
Breaking Patterns, Building Understanding – A Conversation with Gordon Forsyth of PACT
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Taking Back the Reins, Deena welcomes guest Gordon Forsyth, Chair of PACT (Parents and Autistic Children Together), to explore the ...
Full Circle Becoming a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and the Missing Piece of Healing
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After years of study, practice, and perseverance, Dina has completed her three-year journey to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner — a milest...
Healing Journeys with Horses Mel’s Story of Transformation and Hope
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
The Hidden Impact of Your Energy on Your Horse 🐴✨
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that your energy, emotions,and mindset directly affect your horse? Horses are incredibly sensitive toour non-verbal cues, heart rate, and...
Becoming Trauma-Informed in the Workplace: The Key to a Healthier, More Resilient Team
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 unders...
The Power of Somatic Healing: Client A’s Transformational Journey
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this heartfelt episode, I share the inspiring journey of working with Client A, who recently completed a somatic healing process. Together, we work...
Somatic Wisdom from Horses: Lessons from London
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How we can benefit from retreats
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
042 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact on Relationships
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
041 Understanding Pre and Perinatal Trauma: Insights from Somatic Work with Horses
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 fascinat...
040 Inside the Intensive Project Pony™ CPD Equine Facilitated Learning Coaches Course
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
039 Exploring Somatic Wisdom in Equine Learning
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
038 Embracing Dreams: A Journey through Manifestation
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 remarka...
037 From Dream to Reality: Our Forever Home
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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! Emba...
036 From Lockdown Pivots to Online Success | Emma Johnson
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
035 Unbridling Potential - Black Friday Sale on Equine Mindfulness
18 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Taking Back The Reins we delve into equine facilitated learning and mindfulness. Host Dina, an advocate for healing through horses,...
034 From Chronic Illness to Animal Healing | Gillian Leung
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "Taking Back the Reins," I'm joined by Gillian Leong, an animal physiotherapist with a remarkable journey of resilience and reinven...
033 Reinventing Me: Empowering Women Through the Art of Burlesque | Ginger Soumise
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dina is joined by the incredible Ginger Soumise, a professional burlesque performer and producer. Ginger shares her unique journey, f...
032 Rising from Darkness: A Hypnotherapist's Journey to Empowerment and Healing | Louise Timings
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dina sits down with Louise Timings, a solution-focused hypnotherapist, to explore her journey of healing and empowerment. Louise candidly shares her p...
031 Navigating Life's Challenges and Business Success | Melanie Lay
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Taking back the Reins, Dina is joined by Melanie Lay, a seasoned business coach with a unique background in accounting, wellness co...
030 Empowering Women in STEAM Education | Carrie Ann
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring episode of "Taking Back the Reins," your host Dina Shale sits down with the dynamic and passionate Carrie Ann, the founder of "The S...
029 Empowering Women | Joanne Juliff's Journey of Resilience and Transformation
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join us on a journey from adversity to empowerment as Joanne Juliff shares her inspiring story. Discover how she overcame challenges, found her inner ...
028 What do you do when your back is against the wall?
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast we talk about the question ‘What do you do when your back is against the wall. I am introducing you to our series of podcasts called...
027 Transforming Mindset for Weight Loss Journey | Georgina Hooton
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we delve into the powerful story of Georgie's weight loss journey and the profound mindset shift that accompanied it. In a candid conv...
026 Equipping Your Children with Key Skills for a Seamless Return to School after Summer Break
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Introduction:Embracing the challenge of transitioning children back to school following an extended summer break, this insightful episode delves into ...
025 Breaking Patterns: Exploring the Impact of Alcohol on the Brain and Trauma Recovery | Georgina Hooton
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dina and guest Georgina Hooton delve into a deep conversation about the effects of alcohol on the brain and how trauma can influence ...
024 Embracing Your Introverted Superpower | Sharon Murray LinkedIn Brand Builder
09 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for an insightful conversation with Sharon Murray, a LinkedIn brand builder and expert in unleashing your superpower. In this episode, we dive...
023 Turning Envy into inspiration
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Dina talks about how horses use emotions as information, but do you?When we look at Envy its quite an informative emotion . Learning ...
022 Gratitude and Equine Wisdom: Unlocking Abundance
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to "Taking Back the Reins!" In thisepisode, we delve into the transformative power of gratitude and how itintertwines with the profound w...
021 Having a mentor can sky rocket your business | JoJo Graham & Dina Shale
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk to JoJo Graham, an expert in business management, about the mentors she has had over the years and how they have helped her gr...
020 Mindset & Money Mindset
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this interview Dina Shale talks about mindset and money mindset. What You Will Learn:How positive mindset is powerful in your businessHow neg...
019 CPD Coaching part 2
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this interview I talk about what to look for in a coach and trainer when we are going into facilitation work. How being trauma informed is im...
018 What we have learnt when teaching people how to deliver our EFL Project Pony Course
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this interview I talk about what myself and co facilitator Angela spokes have learnt when teaching people how to deliver safely the Project Pony Co...
017 - A Foster Carer Perspective on Becoming An EFL Coach
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk to Sue Russell-North from Horses Secret about how she was one of the first people to sign up to my CPD Accredited EFL course (...
016 - Ali’s journey into Equine Facilitated Learning
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk to Ali about how she was the first person to sign up to my CPD Accredited EFL course (Project Pony) last August. I remem...
015 How using Somatic experiencing with horses helps people in prisons
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this interview I talk to Marta Cirera Baqués about how she uses Somatic Experiencing to help clients in Spain and also in prisons. Here she ...
014 My 5 top tips
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Setting up your own Equine Facilitated Learning Business is not easy! There is so much to anybusiness let alone when you have a herd of horses a...
013 How to set up your own EFL Business in 5 easy steps
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Setting up your own Equine Facilitated Learning Business is not easy! There is so much to any business let alone when you have a herd of horses ...
012 How fear can show up in your day to day life and business
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Fear can be confused with vulnerability and it can feel similar in the body. But we also need todig deep and understand how fear can show up in how we...
011 How to use vulnerability to help you become confident
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We think of vulnerability as being a negative emotion. We connect it to grief & shame however, it’s the birth place of positivity in our ow...
010 How horses help us with boundaries and being able to feel safe in our body
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Boundaries is one of the most profound learning experiences animals can help us with. Boundaries teach us how we feel emotional, spiritually and...
009 Why Talk Therapy is Not Enough
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The main purpose of therapy is to get you out from that box of fear, and give you a head start on how to move forward from your trauma and live your l...
008 How Being Trauma-Informed is Critical Post-Pandemic
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When the pandemic started, people lived in constant fear and it took a toll on them. It had a traumatic effect on the minds of people without them rea...
007 How a Chance Encounter Can Transform Your Life Forever
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The universe has its own way of connecting with us and sending us signs and guidance in an attempt to teach us a lesson. This is why it’s important ...
006 How Equine Therapeutic Interaction Differs to Traditional Therapy
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When someone experiences trauma, it’s advisable to seek out professional help. These professionals create a space for you to openly express your tho...
005 How Trauma Informed Equine Facilitated Learning Helps Children
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Childhood trauma is unfortunately as common as it is in adults. If children don’t have the opportunity to heal, they might suffer harmful consequenc...
004 Overcoming Childhood Trauma with Horse Interaction
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re at a stage in your life where you’ve not been in control of your emotions, or how you react in different situations ever since a traumat...
003 How Horses Use the Four Trauma Responses
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There isn’t a lot of difference between humans and animals when faced with danger. We both provide a response in whatever traumatic situation we mig...
002 How Horses Positively Impact Our Mental Health
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Horses have always been a beauty to behold, because of how nature seems to radiate around them. They have a unique way of communicating without words....
001 How does Working with Horses Help People with Trauma?
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When you’re not at peace with yourself, with your feelings and emotions, you’ll feel disconnected on all levels. This is how trauma feels like on ...
000 What is Trauma-Informed Equine Facilitated Learning?
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Taking Back the Reins Podcast! I’m Dina Shale, Founder & Director of The Way of the Horse, a non-profit equine facilitated l...