Indy O'Connor, Agape Horsemanship

03/10/2025

03/09/2025

Here’s the second free preview video.

03/09/2025

Ok folks, here are two free previews of basic horsemanship videos I’ve been working on. I will probably tweak or redo them because I’m a perfectionist. Once I’m happy with them, I’ll be posting a reel on various social media platforms with a link to purchase the video series. I’m also working on a podcast called Wild Agape where I discuss how horses help us become better people. I’ll have guests and include my experience as an ordained minister, a school teacher, and a professional horseman. Look for the announcement of the podcast in the coming weeks.

03/09/2025

😂

03/09/2025

I am often asked, usually in a condescending manner, why someone should take so long to do all the groundwork and spend so much time working on the little things, or why I do so much slow work in the saddle? My response is that you don’t have to ride like me or Buck Brannaman, or Ray Hunt, but if you want a partner in your horse versus a tool to get a job done, then you have to treat horsemanship as an art. True art requires time and a fierce dedication to details and technique. To be a true horsemanship artist, one must decide to not be mediocre, or a simple exercise rider. It requires extreme discipline and although it might take longer on the front end, the back end will result in a true partnership between horse and human. It depends on what you’re after in your horsemanship.

10/30/2024

First time this wild horse has had a bull whip cracked off her back. Took all of ten minutes. The right horsemanship matters!

09/06/2024

I thought I would share this kind endorsement from one of my horsemanship students who happens to be one of the co-hosts of my upcoming October clinic in Gilbert, AZ. Thank you Natalie for your kind words!

I wanted to give my personal experience with Indy as a natural horsemanship trainer. I adopted two wild mustangs Feb 2024. One was a 2 yr old mare that had been gentled, and one was her mom, a 7 yr old, who was still fairly wild. With caution she could be haltered by those she trusted and that was about it. After getting some basics I was off working with both mares on ground work and in essence 'c**t starting' on my own with guidance and advice from Indy. He taught me the skills, I brought it back to my girls. I have zero experience with horse training. I have ridden family or friends horses through out my youth but never taken on new untested and wild horses. Fast forward to May. I started working hard on getting a first ride with my 7 yr old. We started discussing what it would look like and where she and I both needed to be. Then in July we had our first ride. Indy has the ability to sense where both the rider and horse is at. Originally during that session he wanted to wait for the first ride to happen, then after one exercise, he changed his mind and the first ride went off without a hitch. I've been riding her and working with her ever since as we move on to the different phases of under saddle training. Learning from Indy has built my confidence, my horses confidence, and overall changed how I look at the relationship between my horses and myself. He believes strongly in the rider being the one working with their horse so both learn and improve together. I can attest what this method can build between horse and rider. I can also attest that Indy will meet you where you are at and build your abilities beyond what you feel capable of. Whether you are just starting out, or have been in it a while but need a different way to get better results, consider taking this clinic and seeing what could be possible.
-Natalie Zarkou

09/05/2024

I will be conducting a two day clinic on Foundational Horsemanship in Gilbert, AZ October 26th & 27th. The clinic is divided into two sections. The morning session (9am-12pm) is foundational groundwork, the afternoon session (1pm-4pm) is saddle work focusing on developing lightness and feel. You can choose to do either two day sessions for $400 or do both sessions for $600. It’s $30 per day to be a spectator. Please see the attached flier for more information. DM Tammi Rozanoff for information and to reserve your spot.

08/13/2024

Horse friends and followers of my page, I’m in need of some honest feedback. As most of you know, I have led an eclectic life in terms of careers. I’ve been a pastor (10 years) in the United Church of Christ, a teacher in both special education and regular education (11 years) and a professional horseman (20 years) including three years as the head trainer for the Wild Horse and B***o Inmate program in Arizona. I have learned invaluable lessons from each career, and I’m feeling called to share those insights in an online video format. I use the experiences and learnings from all of my career paths in the Wild Horse program and have witnessed firsthand how fine horsemanship has helped the guys I work with heal and find purpose for their lives beyond incarceration. This is nothing new, it has long been known that horses help humans become better people. However, the vast majority of horse training videos I’ve seen focus mostly on how to get along with your horse in terms of training. That’s truly helpful, but there is more to horsemanship than simply learning to ride better or get something done in terms of groundwork. I know I wouldn’t be the only one to produce videos on the impact horses have on our emotional and mental wellbeing, however I feel my career background might offer a fresh perspective. What I’m asking is whether you feel videos that combine horsemanship and human development from someone with my experience would be helpful? Many of you have worked with me in developing your horsemanship skills, and some of you have become friends with me when I was a pastor or teacher. I’m proposing a series of videos where I demonstrate my horsemanship and then include how that practice will help you be a more effective and loving person. If you feel so moved, give me your honest feedback as to whether there is a need for that or not. I appreciate any feedback you can offer. You can comment on this post, or feel free to message me. Thank you for your support.

05/01/2024

I will be the discussing my journey as a horseman and my work with the Wild Horse Inmate Program in Arizona on the On The Move podcast tomorrow, Thursday 5/2 at 4pm mountain time. I’m honored to be doing it!Once the podcast is taped it will be on their page as well. Log on tomorrow and check out our conversation or visit their page once it’s posted. Below is the link to their page. On the Move interviews professionals in the horse industry including Buck Brannaman. I’m looking forward to sharing my journey with horses!🐴

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088183991577&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Find On The Move everywhere else podcasts are available.

04/18/2024

Arizona horse friends, I am putting together a video series on foundational groundwork and am looking for horse owners who would like to volunteer their horses to appear in the videos. This video series would demonstrate the essential foundational groundwork steps that build a strong partnership with your horse, both on the ground and in the saddle. Problem solving will also be a part of the series. If you are interested, please DM me and I can give you more details.

03/04/2024

It is with profound sadness that I share the news that we had to say goodbye today to my best horse and best horsemanship teacher, Chief. Chief has been my partner for over 20 years. He lived to be 35 years old. Chief was retired a few years ago and arthritis and old age caught up with him. He traveled the country doing clinics with me, introduced countless people to the joy and beauty of horses, took many a child on their first ride, and helped me become the horseman I am today. I will miss him dearly! Now his pain is over, and he runs free in God’s green pastures. We will meet again one day my brother. I will forever be indebted to you and the lessons you taught me.

02/18/2024

02/18/2024

Had a fantastic ride today on Hackberry trail in the Tonto National Forest with my wonderful student Kasey who has come light years with her horsemanship!