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 Locked In with Wesley Thorp
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Wesley Thorp: Tuning Up a Heel Horse ...
Three-time World Champion Heeler Wesley Thorp shares a detailed, no-frills session bringing a 10-year-old mare back into form after time off. This video shows how he builds a horse’s confidence, balance, and timing from the back end—focusing on collection through the corner, holding position, and...
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Wesley Thorp: Keeping a Finished Heel...
In this video, Three-time World Champion Heeler Wesley Thorp works a seasoned 9-year-old gelding that’s seen plenty of runs—from amateur rodeos to World Series jackpots. This horse is solid, but after a few days off, it’s time to knock the rust off and get him sharp before the next jackpot.
Wesle... -
Wesley Thorp Trying a New Heel Horse
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 evaluat...
