When Amy and Lou empty their mother's room, they find a letter dated seven years previous, from their father. Ben Stillman is sent to live at Heartland by his aunt, Lisa, while she's in France. No one likes Ben, as he uses methods like whipping his horse, Red, to show him "who's boss", and he doesn't participate in ranch duties. Ty is especially angry, challenging Amy to prove that Heartland is different than the other stables (like Briar Ridge) that tolerate this treatment of horses. Amy gets knocked off her horse while trying to take Ben's horse across the river on a trail ride and sustains a minor head injury. Ty is offered a job at Briar Ridge even after Amy accidentally tells Ashley that Ty is on probation. When Amy hears that Ty might take the job, she snaps at him. Ty is eventually fired when Val discovers he has a record.