Episode Overview:
In this episode, I speak with Adele Shaw, founder of The Willing Equine. Adele shares how she began in competitive equestrian sports, her transition into behaviour-based training, and the turning points that shaped her business journey. We talk about how her early work with challenging horses, and later her experience with her mare Tiger, led her to develop a new approach rooted in learning theory and positive reinforcement.
Adele also discusses how she built her business organically through transparency, sharing both the good and difficult parts of training publicly, and how that helped her connect with others. She reflects on the influence of social media, the challenges it presents, and what she’s learned about setting realistic client expectations.
We also explore the emotional side of business: how Adele managed resistance in the industry, her desire to prove her approach worked, and how she learned to shift toward joy and connection, both with horses and in business.
What We Cover:
- Adele’s background in Hunter Jumper and dressage
- The horses that shaped her path, including those that challenged her
- Launching The Willing Equine from a Facebook group to a full educational platform
- Using openness and transparency to grow trust and an engaged audience
- Social media vs. real-life training progress
- Managing client expectations shaped by online content
- Adele’s advice to her younger self about not needing to prove anything
- Her vision for the future of the equine industry
- Observing behaviour neutrally and seeking understanding rather than control
- Frustration with division and hostility in the horse world and the need for conversation over conflict
Adele is one of our amazing speakers at The 2025 Healthy Horse Conference, and she is speaking on Day 2 of the Conference.
Book to join the Conference online here
AND use the code PODCAST25 to save 25% on your ticket. Don’t forget that early bird tickets end 31st July- so it’s time to get a booking.
Find Adele Online:
Visit her website: www.thewillingequine.com
Follow her on Instagram: @thewillingequine
