In this foundational training session, Ty Benson and Miles Baker break down their main objectives while warming up a 2-year-old rope horse. Before any advanced work begins, their first priority is mental connection—making sure the young horse is present, focused, and tuned in to the rider.

From there, they systematically go down the checklist, ensuring they can move every part of the horse’s body with softness and control. Benson and Baker explain how they teach responsiveness to leg pressure, how to introduce and properly use spurs, and why timing and feel matter more than force.

One key principle they emphasize: “A horse should mirror what the rider’s body is doing.”

If you’re bringing along 2-year-olds or refining your fundamentals, this episode delivers practical insight into building a willing, responsive young prospect from the ground up.