When Amy discovers that a horse named Spartan is being abused, she convinces her mother to rescue the horse and bring him back to Heartland. On the way home a raging storm sends their truck and horse trailer careening off the side of the road, killing her mother. Grandpa Jack helps Amy find the strength to stop blaming herself and begin the process of healing Spartan, and healing her own heart.

Mrs. Roach's horse, Swallow, is mistakenly sent home before his fear of traffic is fully cured. Ashley is violently thrown off Swallow when he's spooked by a truck and Mrs. Roach swears she'll never bring her business back to Heartland. And when Spartan refuses to enter his trailer, Amy begins to have serious doubts about her ability to carry on her mother's work.

Lou wants to hold an open house for Heartland. Amy is against it, since she's managed to drum up some high profile clients on her own. Lou can’t cancel, she's secretly invited their father.

Horse breeder Lisa Stillman is so impressed with Amy's work, she sends her nephew, Ben, to live at Heartland. Amy and Mallory can't believe the way he treats his horse, Red. After Red runs away from Heartland, the girls go searching for him. They find the horse near the edge of a river, but when Amy tries to lead Red across, his fear of water sends him into a panic, knocking Amy unconscious.

Lou charges ahead with the video to advertise Heartland, despite the fact nobody is supportive of the idea. The last straw is when Lou insists they shoot Amy gentling a wild pony.

Lou's boyfriend has been offered a lucrative job in Chicago and he's come to Heartland to convince Lou to go with him. But Amy and Mallory have discovered Scott is secretly in love with Lou.