My Story
All my life, I have loved being around horses. As a teen, when homelife was rocky with addiction and an affair, I escaped on horseback. As an adult, facing grief from losing both parents to illnesses and my older brother to suicide, I have found solace with my horse, Jerry a red roan Quarter Horse.
Growing up in a small town within Los Angeles, California, I always dreamed of owning a horse. I studied interior design and equine studies at Colorado State University leaving the city behind me and forming a fierce love with the Rocky Mountains. After marrying a Colorado mountain man, we spent 13 years working in Spain with university students and enjoying the richness of living in another culture.
Our four children were raised in Spanish/Catalan schools and were challenged on their return to the USA, learning to read and write in English as teens. While living overseas, we had a variety of arduous adaptations and challenges to overcome: the pressure of perfectionism while living in a foreign land, depression, anger, suicidal ideation, financial stress, loneliness, low self-esteem, discouragement and isolation. Through all the cultural stress and changes I grew a lot. I now find myself more enriched for it, as do my children who endured these challenges as well. My family has since lived in Austin, Texas, for five years, and the remaining in my husband’s hometown of Crested Butte, Colorado.
Crested Butte offers a lifestyle of adventure and beauty that I thrive in. I am privileged to have kept my horses on stunning ranches in this valley where freedom in God’s creation is my every day. It is here I can fulfill my spirit for nature and for helping people grow.
I firmly believe that God has put these magnificent creatures, on this earth to help us on our healing journeys. My life is a God-centered one, and though it is of utmost importance to me, I vow to love and respect all that cross my path wherever their faith is.
As a teenager, loving mentors invested in me and gave me a life-altering experience. I was given unconditional love, a foundation to learn and grow. Today, I am using my training with the Touched By A Horse® Certification program as a certified Equine Gestalt Coach and want to give back to teenagers under pressure, the grieving, and those seeking the strength to make shifts in their lives.
I will be working with my horse, Jerry, and other equine partners on various ranches around the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley where my family lives. Stunning pastures, winding creeks, big skies, sweet grasses and majestic mountains are the backdrop for this healing.
Meet the Herd
My horse Jerry
He lives on one of the various ranches in the valley, depending on the season. Jerry has offered me nothing but genuine love, willingness and care. He is especially expressive and releases my energies beautifully and has been my primary therapist during the loss of my parents and brother.
Jack
Jack is a people’s horse, he loves this work and is eager to be healer.
And Cody dog
He has kisses for all! Everyone adores this little big guy Cody, our 7 year old mini Australian shepherd.
Success Stories
Elisabeth D, Boulder, CO.
Carrie has a natural ability for listening and asking questions that will lead you to reach your higher self.
Elisabeth D, Boulder, CO.
Evie R., Canton, GA
Carrie you are like an angel. You wrap your wings around the client so they can relax and share their pain. You are an amazing coach!
Evie R., Canton, GA
Cheryl H., Elizabeth, CO
Thank you so much for holding space for me to discover a deep connection from my childhood that carries a chord to my present life and thought process. I appreciate the awareness you brought through your gentle, kind spirit.
Cheryl H., Elizabeth, CO
Dana T., Red Bluff, CA
Carrie’s ability to swiftly connect her client creates a safe space for her client to feel into their vulnerability: which allows them to explore deep emotions.
Dana T., Red Bluff, CA
Marcy W.
Thank you Carrie for all the support, kindness, intuition of where to go next and leading me to a beautiful release of old pain.
Marcy W.
Betsy C., Colorado
Carrie did a great job of connecting fully with me, creating a space where I felt safe to explore some issues in my past that needed to be healed. I now feel more peace in my life.
Betsy C., Colorado
Carolyn K., CA
Carrie’s energy is so incredibly calm and loving that I felt completely safe to open and be vulnerable to her.
Carolyn K., CA
Teena O, MN
Carrie is a beautiful nurturing “ray of sunshine” coach. She has a beautiful ability to hold sacred space while processing my deepest pains and vulnerabilities. Thank you Carrie for being a guiding light to my heart, mind and soul free of any feeling of judgement.
Teena O, MN
Amy, PA
Carrie is a warm, gentle and supportive coach. Her soft presence and energy creates a safe space to explore, question and grow as a client. I always look forward to spending time with Carrie.
Amy, PA
S and S, Crested Butte,CO.
My husband and I just got back from a weekend couples retreat with Carrie O’Neal from Higher Hooves. We spent the weekend in a rustic creekside cabin with amazing views of the West Elk Wilderness. Carrie set up our sessions outdoors in various tranquil settings that helped create a relaxing and safe space for my partner and I to engage in deep and meaningful conversations, all of which were guided by Carrie. Each session had a unique exercise that helped us explore the past, present and future of our relationship, proving that even after 23 years of marriage there is still so much to learn about each other and ourselves, and how to improve our communication/relationship. We feel truly blessed to have gone through this journey with Carrie!
S and S, Crested Butte,CO.
Tiffany T., Idaho
The words to describe the amount of peace Carrie has helped me achieve are hard to come by. She helped me unravel 13 years of guilt and pain. After my work with her, I finally slept without nightmares. She also made sure I was complete and gave me a few extra minutes to make sure I didn’t implode. She has a genuine concern for other people and their wellbeing. She is able to maintain contact and bring me all the way through my pain.
Tiffany T., Idaho
Shelly N., California
Carrie has a natural way of quickly guiding her client into a deep contact through which to process. Her empathy and intuition honor the client where they are and help move them away from pain.