Wesley Thorp is back on a new heel horse, working through the early stages of building consistency and control—starting on the dummy. This horse has been passed between riders, recently heeled on left-handed, and shows signs of drifting out of position after the turn. The focus today: drive to the correct spot, hold it, and stay there through multiple hops until the throw.
Thorp walks through how to use leg pressure, timing, and repetition to teach the horse to stay locked in—not just get there, but maintain position. He emphasizes the importance of riding with purpose, being ready to throw on your terms, and keeping the horse moving up under you. For ropers at any level, this is a sharp reminder that if your horse isn’t giving you a window, your shot suffers.
The biggest takeaway? You don’t need a perfect horse—you need one that will consistently let you create the shot, not just take the first one you’re handed.
Up Next in Heeling Position
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Horse and Body Position in a Heel Shot
Patrick Smith breaks down horse position with a student in a heel shot.
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Hold Your Heel Horse In Position
Patrick Smith works hard on keeping his horses' heads slightly to the inside when he ropes. He shares some of his tricks on keeping his horses soft and framed up.
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Distance and Angle Roping the Pipes
Where you stand when you rope the Pipes really matters when you're looking for quality, realistic heeling practice. Joseph Harrison demonstrates proper position on the Smarty Pipes.
