Wesley Thorp demonstrates one of his foundational exercises: the Figure Eight Drill—a controlled, progressive dummy drill designed to build collection, drive, and consistent tracking in heel horses. Whether it's a green colt or a rodeo-seasoned horse, this drill is a staple in Thorp’s program.
By increasing speed through each turn, the drill forces the horse to stay collected, follow the dummy off the hind end, and lock into position through pressure—without getting lazy or hollowed out. Wesley explains how he uses leg pressure, shoulder control, and release timing to build horses that are responsive without being robotic.
The key focus: don’t just find position—hold it. Thorp emphasizes the importance of making a horse stay under the rider, hold the left hip, and maintain a consistent lane for several hops before delivering a loop. It’s about having your shot when you want it—not when the horse or the steer dictates it.
If you’re trying to improve your horse’s handle through the corner or struggling with drifting, over-framing, or inconsistent positioning, this is a drill you can use daily.
Up Next in Locked In with Wesley Thorp
-
Holding Position: Wesley Thorp Tunes ...
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 th...
-
Building a Rope Horse: Day Back on a ...
Wesley Thorp puts a 4-year-old gelding back to work after a break from live steers. This is a young horse he’s had since two, started himself, and carefully brought along. Today, the goal is to reintroduce pressure, score a few, rope some slow and medium steers, and see where the horse stands men...
-
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...
