In celebration of this week’s magic of 2/22/22, you may have heard or even practiced a two-point position. A two-point is when you have only two points of contact with the saddle. Normally, we ride in a full seat, or three-point position, meaning you have three points of contact in the saddle. Your two legs and your seat. To do a two-point you rise out of the saddle, so that only your legs are still in contact.
Benefits of Two-Point Position
Being in a two-point position helps your horse by you removing your weight from the seat of the saddle and transferring it to your legs and heels. When you rise your seat out of the saddle, and transfer that weight to your heels, you will be using your core. If your core is weak, riding in a two-point position can help a lot over time. It helps you to stay balanced in the saddle and to strengthen your leg position. A correct two-point position also helps to keep you from gripping with your knees. If you do a lot of two point, your heel position will improve because all your weight is being carried in your heels.
How To Do a Two-Point
To get into a two-point position, drop your heels and your weight into your heels as you rise slightly out of the saddle. You don’t want your seat sticking up in the air because this will throw you forward. Keep your hip and your heel in alignment as you raise out of the saddle. This will help keep you balanced over the center of the saddle. Push your shoulders back and down, while you are putting your weight into your stirrups. It’s important to keep your knees relaxed. You don’t want to grip with your knees. Because if you do, you will throw your center of balance forward, and you will lose your leg position.
What To Avoid in a Two-Point
The most common error in a two-point position is when riders balance with their hands on the horse’s neck or the horse’s mouth. The whole purpose of the two-point is to work on your own balance and give your horse some freedom. If you’re struggling with the two-point position, work on strengthening your core and leg muscles by doing lots of squats.
No Hands Two-Point Position
If you truly want to develop an independent seat and good balance, ride in a two-point position without resting your hands on the horse’s neck. Doing flat work without hands on the horse’s neck will strengthen your core, legs and it will develop true balance. You will end up with a deeper full seat and will gain independence faster.
It may sound challenging, but with practice you will get better and better. You can start at the halt, and then work up to the walk, and then the trot, and so on.
