Exploring Life & Business with Crystal Birchmeier of Happy Hooves Wellness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Birchmeier.

Hi Crystal , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey began the moment I was born—with a deep love for horses and animals of all kinds.

Eighteen years of riding, training, and working with horses led me to graduation and the start of my college career, where I planned to pursue a degree in psychology. However, due to financial constraints, I wasn’t able to complete my BA. Instead, I turned to what I knew best—horses—and decided to create something of my own, drawing from the knowledge and experience I had gained working in various barns and programs.

In 2010, Happy Hooves was born. I started with borrowed horses and the use of my father’s farm. By 2018, the program had grown to include over ten lesson horses and nearly 50 lessons a week. That same year, we began shifting focus toward equine wellness, particularly how riding affects a horse’s posture and physical health. Education has always been at the core of Happy Hooves. I’ve long believed that learning dispels ignorance, and with that comes greater empathy and understanding—for both humans and animals.

In 2019, a mentor of mine said something that stayed with me: “The future of horses is in wellness.” I wasn’t exactly sure what she meant at the time, but her words planted a seed.

Then came 2020. Like many others, we had to shut down temporarily due to the pandemic. But during that pause, I found clarity—I didn’t miss the traveling and showing. I realized it was time for a shift. That spring, I reconnected with childhood friends from the horse world and asked them what they remembered most about growing up with horses. Their stories weren’t about competition or ribbons—they were about connection, life lessons, and the supportive community that helped shape who they became.

That was the turning point. The vision for Happy Hooves expanded. I began to see our work not just as riding instruction, but as a path toward human wellness.

From 2021 to 2023, the right people began to appear—an Equine Facilitated Learning coach, a kindergarten teacher, a special education teacher, a Feldenkrais ATM practitioner, and others with a shared vision. I also became certified through the HERD Institute as an Equine Facilitated Learning coach, further deepening our work and direction.

In 2024, we joined the Seen Through Horses campaign to raise funds in support of our belief that horses are for everyone. The success of that initiative has allowed us to collaborate with even more community partners as we move into 2025.

And that brings us to where we are today: continuing to grow a mission-driven program rooted in connection, compassion, and the healing power of horses.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the most consistent challenges we’ve faced is education—specifically, helping people understand what Equine Facilitated Learning actually is. We have a serious education gap in our culture when it comes to experiential learning and somatic-based coaching combined with nature. These approaches aren’t yet mainstream, even though they are deeply impactful and essential to long-term health and personal growth.

We live in a world that often values control, outcomes, and quick fixes—but the work we do at Happy Hooves asks people to slow down, get curious, and feel. True experiential learning happens when individuals engage through their own bodies and their own timing—when they throw away the agenda and allow space for exploration. That’s where the real learning happens. That’s where transformation takes root.

Helping people discover possibilities within their own authenticity is our true goal. But to do that—to really see and feel what the animals have to show us—we have to be willing to be present. And presence takes practice.

Then, of course, there were external challenges—like the shutdown during COVID in 2020. That time brought uncertainty, but it also gave me space to reflect on what truly matters. And from that pause, a clearer path emerged.

So no, it hasn’t been easy. But each struggle—whether logistical, emotional, or cultural—has helped us refine our purpose. And the work we’re doing now feels more aligned and impactful than ever.

As you know, we’re big fans of Happy Hooves Wellness . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Happy Hooves Wellness is more than a riding program—it’s a place for connection, discovery, and healing.

We offer farm-based experiential learning and equine-facilitated coaching that supports emotional regulation, nervous system health, and personal growth. While horses are at the heart of what we do, our work goes far beyond traditional horsemanship or riding lessons. We create intentional experiences where humans and animals meet in relationship—where curiosity, authenticity, and presence guide the learning.

What sets us apart is our focus on the whole person and the whole horse. We specialize in working with individuals—children, teens, and adults—who may experience anxiety, sensory processing differences, trauma histories, or just feel out of sync with themselves or the world. Through movement-based practices, somatic coaching, and time with animals, we help people find regulation, resilience, and renewed confidence.

We’re known for our thoughtful, trauma-informed approach and our ability to meet each person exactly where they are—without pressure, expectation, or judgment. Our programs include riding, groundwork, sensory-based farm experiences, and collaborative wellness offerings with professionals from other disciplines, such as Feldenkrais ATM practitioners and educators.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how the brand has evolved to reflect a deeper truth: Happy Hooves is a space for belonging and becoming the best version of you. Whether you’re here to learn a new skill, reconnect with your body, heal old wounds, or just breathe more freely—there’s a place for you here. We believe that learning should be led by curiosity, not control. And that horses, when given a voice in the process, are incredible partners in human growth.

We want readers to know that this is a place where growth happens organically, in rhythm with the body and in relationship with nature. Whether you’re a parent looking for a sensory-friendly experience for your child, a teen seeking confidence and connection, or an adult yearning for a deeper relationship with yourself—we welcome you. We’re here for those who are willing to explore differently and feel more fully.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
No, I do not think so

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hhooves.com