TRAINING

Kendall Brandenberger

My name is Kendall, & if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I LOVE HORSES. My purpose on this earth is to serve and help all horses, and this deep passion drives everything I do. From a young age, I’ve been completely fascinated by horses and still am to this day. I am a lifelong student of horsemanship, and believe in continuously evolving my skills, knowledge, and understanding of these remarkable animals.
My riding career began at 5 years old, my showing career at age 7. My journey has taken me to just about every corner of the equine world, and I’ve seen much of my life from behind the ears of so many different horses. My early exposure to competitive riding and my involvement in 4-H and other organizations began my commitment to a life centered around horses. From there, I would go on to compete in many different disciplines, such as showing (pleasure, eq, all around, etc), hunter & show jumping, barrels, team sorting & penning, skijoring, etc., which further fueled my fascination of of horses and all of the different ways there are to enjoy them, and how versatile and amazing they can be. During my peak competitive years, I gained so much invaluable experience, most importantly I learned that the rewards of this industry do not come without putting the work in. I was exposed to so many different methods/practices, and have had many wonderful instructors and mentors that have shared their expertise with me over the years, as well as had the opportunity to ride many wonderful horses. Through it all, my goal has always remained the same: to find ways to foster the best partnership possible between the horse and human. Later in life, I would then go to seek a wide range of employment roles, from working in sale barns and rehabbing rescues to guiding trails and galloping racehorses, to name a few. My experience is vast and diverse; it has given me the privilege of working with hundreds, if not thousands, of different horses— of all breeds, types, ages & stages. I have worked with everything from million dollar horses to canners, I have worked with gaited horses such as walkers and paso finos, I’ve worked with Arabians, Standardbreds, thoroughbreds on & off the racetrack, I’ve worked with draft horses, I’ve worked with ponies, I’ve worked with mustangs, I’ve worked with mules, the list goes on.
To deepen my understanding, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Horsemanship from the University of Montana Western, with minors in Business Management and Equine Science. Throughout my five years of study, I also focused on equine physiology, psychology, and facility management, further solidifying my foundation as a career horseman. As part of my continued education, I also participated in a colt starting competition, which provided invaluable real-world experience in starting young horses in a structured, time-sensitive environment. This competition sharpened my skills in colt starting and gave me the opportunity to test and refine my training methods under pressure, solidifying my ability to work with young horses in a thoughtful, effective manner.
One of my core principles as a trainer is to emphasize a strong foundation in every horse I work with—one that transcends any single discipline. It is my belief that gaining not only the respect, but also the focus, curiosity, and self-awareness in the horse, while also challenging them & exposing them to new stimulus in a way that builds their confidence, and incorporating practical control of their individual body parts & all four feet while operating on a soft feel…the end result is a responsive, willing, confident ride that, through consistency and practice- will have the lasting foundational tools needed to excel at anything they will go on do. I believe in the power of consistency, so I practice consistency. While I make no guarantees about outcomes—because every horse and situation is unique—I can guarantee that I will put in the time, effort, and care necessary to TRY to help each horse achieve its full potential. Though I’m confident in my methods, I do not want to sell myself as the worlds greatest horsewoman, and again, I make no guarantees! I do take pride in my work, never compromise on my belief that the horse comes first, and am an unstoppable force in my pursuit of success with each horse. I respect every horse that comes into my care, appreciating the unique lessons each one offers. Whether I’m starting a young horse or solving a specific behavioral challenge, I approach each training session with patience, empathy, and an unwavering dedication to the horse’s physical and mental wellbeing.
I’ve had the honor of training horses for a wide variety of disciplines, however, I have come to specialize in colt starting and training theory, where my passion truly lies. I believe a colt with a foundation built on trust and confidence can go on to to be useful in any direction. I’ve dedicated my life to learning how to effectively communicate with horses, as well as listen to what they are communicating to us. Because of this lifetime commit, fascination, and obsession, my own line of communication is much stronger with animals than it is with humans. This connection allows me to relate to and understand the horses on a deeper level. This unique bond is what fuels my passion for their care and training—it’s not just a job, it’s a calling that brings me the comfort, purpose, and peace I need in my own life.
So, whether your horse is in need of specialized training, a start, or a tune-up, I am here to offer expert guidance, understanding, and support to your horse, every step of the way. Let me know how I can be of service.



Danica Wilson

Hey everyone! My name’s Danica Wilson, I grew up in Utah with a strong desire to be around horses and started taking lessons around age 5. When I was 12 years old I started riding and showing AQHA all-around performance horses. I competed for 7 years in various classes (ranch versatility, reining/working cow horse, trail, horsemanship/showmanship, western pleasure, hunter under saddle, and English equitation). Throughout those years, I competed in top-level AQHA shows and have won multiple world titles. The variety of established performance horses I was able to ride and work with taught me a soft hand and the ability to show a horse to its full potential. After showing, I took the time to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Natural Horsemanship and Ranch Management from the University of Montana Western. While pursuing this degree I participated in many classes in the arena and classroom, one of which being Sale Preparation. It was there I found my passion in training and starting colts. After months of preparing our colts for the real world, we finished the year off with a competition and live auction. Since starting my journey into training with natural horsemanship methods, my personal philosophies in training have changed immensely. I now focus and excel in liberty/groundwork, and starting colts with a meaningful relationship as well as a proper foundation. Along with preparing the horse for anything they may encounter throughout their life, my main goal with training any horse is to create a trust-based relationship and bring up the horse to its full potential. I believe my thought process and execution of training work for any type of horse. With every horse that is trained underneath me, you’ll receive a free lesson to inform and teach you what was taught to them. If you are looking for a gentle hand, a show-experienced rider, and a compassionate trainer, I would make a good fit for you and your beloved equine. 

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