Wesley Thorp is giving a new heel horse a shot — a 12-year-old gelding with solid breeding, a gentle mind, and a few good years of jackpot wins behind him. It’s day one, and Thorp’s approach is simple: don’t assume anything, and let the horse show what he's got.

This session is all about evaluating potential. Wesley breaks down how he assesses collection through the turn, whether the horse stays on the left hip or drifts, and how well the horse responds to pressure, positioning, and correction. Rather than push hard, he builds a picture of what the horse naturally does—and how much it’ll take to get him competition-ready.

For anyone trying out a rope horse for the first time (or the fiftieth), this video is a straight-up look at what really matters: feel, responsiveness, and the ability to get on the same page without completely overhauling your style or theirs.