Nicki Francisco is a Happy Horse Happy Life Approved Instructor based in Lovettsville, Virginia, with over 25 years of experience in horsemanship. She fell in love with horses as an 11-year-old, and her journey shifted dramatically when her first horse, Waldo, challenged everything she thought she knew—ultimately leading her to study horsemanship and the importance of listening, softness, and emotional regulation. Later diagnoses of Autism and ADHD helped Nicki understand why horses had always made sense to her: they communicate honestly, in the moment, without hidden agendas. After a period of plateau and loss, the Happy Horse Happy Life program reignited her passion and brought clarity through biomechanics, connection, and conversation. Today, Nicki teaches the How to Talk Horse curriculum, offering lessons and clinics that help riders move from confusion into clarity while building safe, joyful partnerships—guided by her belief that true horsemanship is a conversation, not a command.