From the young age of 3, Kendra was fortunate enough to grow up with horses, and later they would become her greatest teachers in life. Kendra’s journey began by learning most of her skills from her father who passed down knowledge from generations of cattle ranchers and horse trainers. Kendra is a 4th generation horse trainer on her dad’s side. It all started with her great grandfather Travis Werner who was a ranch hand and horse trainer in the early 1900’s. In the days where “breaking” horses was about the only method, he believed in gentling horses, and earning their trust. He knew that to do his job to the best of his ability, checking cattle, doctoring sick cows, roping, etc. he needed a partner he could rely on. He believed in taking the extra time to build trust with his horses. In turn they would do their work together to the best of their ability. Travis Werner passed down his knowledge of horse training to his son, and continued down the line to Kendra’s father John Werner. 

 

Alongside her father Kendra grew up training and showing horses in many different disciplines from western pleasure, rodeo, to show jumping, and working ranch horse. Kendra always had an interest at a young age in horse training. The horses she grew up competing with were not perfect in fact they were far from it, but that only made Kendra into a better horseman. Learning to communicate clearly and build trust with her horses was what made her successful in competitions growing up. Although it would have been nice to have had fully trained horses, she does not regret for one second having to earn her accomplishments as a team with the horses she trained. Kendra competed in 4-H and AQHA Futurity competitions with the young horses she trained. This was an amazing opportunity for her to learn the patience and dedication it takes to start a horse from the ground up, and well to be honest she definitely learned how to step back on when you’ve been bucked off. Kendra proceeded to attend New Mexico State University where she received her degree in Agricultural Business and Economics and a minor in Marketing. During her time at college, Kendra was on the NMSU Ranch Horse Team, that traveled all over the South and Midwest region, competing in working cow horse, trail, ranch horse pleasure, and reining. In 2012 her team ranked 3rd  overall in the nation.  

 

Kendra works closely with Trina Cox, a Natural Therapeutic Specialist who is a certified Holistic

Kinesiologist and Equine Positional Release Practitioner. She has mentored Kendra for the past 8 years. During this time, Kendra has developed a keen understanding of equine behavior - physically and emotionally. She is able to see beyond the behaviors causing "problem horses" and identify when a horse is trying to communicate physical discomfort or other underlying issues such as a mental block.  

 

Self-employed and owner of Out of the Woods Horsemanship & Cattle LLC, Kendra owns her own ranch in Estancia NM. Here she raises Hereford Beef cattle for Direct to Consumer Beef. she specializes in training working ranch horses, and creating clear communication between human and equine. Kendra has successfully been training horses as a career in the East Mountain area for 12 years now. Thru her experience and life lessons Kendra has developed her own way of horse training that revolves around “horse’s time” and focuses on a gentle approach to training the horse.  She specializes in creating awareness of the big picture with you and your equine, by teaching you how to step into the present world they live in. Eliminating the human agenda that all too often creates a wall between you and your horse.  She believes in slowing things down and simplifying, so that as a horseman you can become aware of what your horse is trying to tell you. 

 

Kendra continually qualifies for the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Show. The most recent being in 2024, where she placed in the Top 10 All- Around for the Cowboy Division. Kendra is passionate about training well rounded ranch horses, not only because she needs them to work her own cattle, but also because finding well rounded horses that can do many jobs are rare to find these days in a world of “specialized” disciplines. Kendra wants her horses to be versatile and be willing to work a cow one day, and carry a kid around for a trail ride the next. Working with cattle creates an environment of change. Horses have to adapt and step up to the job at hand. Stepping up requires horses to learn and gain confidence that will last a lifetime; the foundation created here at Out of the Woods will follow your horse into any discipline.