I have started to learn two point. Making it clear that at the beginning of learning this it is totally ok to steady your balance with your hands down on the mane (the touch getting lighter if not completely off in the longer run) was a very good tip. Thank you 👍 My tip: The texts switch a tad too fast🤓
Thanks for breaking this down, I’ve been struggling with the wobble you mentioned a lot. It seemed either I was grabbing for balance with my lower leg, or pinching with my knee to remove my lower leg. I will practice this the way you have shown it at my next lesson.
Thank you for this, I need help with my two point. I’ve been jumping for a year now, and every time I two point I always just stand up, I have no good fold and I’m always left feeling discouraged. Thanks for the information vid
@@Dixietheeventer you are more than welcome! Please stay tuned as I am just about to launch a series of videos addressing basic problems most riders face at one time or another !
Thank you this helped a lot! But I remember being taught not to put pressure on the horses neck, and use your core to balance, and using your lower leg. If I remember correctly putting pressure on the horses neck will push them down causing your leg to slip back, and screw up your position. But this defiantly helped, thank you!
I was taught that as well, to not put weight on the neck but then I do what she describes - I wobble and can’t stay steady so going to give it a try...
Thank you so much for your input. There are many ways to teach a two point, and often it has to do with an instructor/trainers experiences with their own riders. For me, pressing on the neck is a means to stabilize the leg and heel position. Once the leg is strong in its position, the hands naturally will naturally lighten with the strength gthened position. Good luck!!
Hi there, Sarah! Thank you so much for your input. In my experience as a rider shifts their weight more regularly into their heel and are able to maintain it, with the aid of a stabilized set of hands, their hands will naturally lighten the weight from the neck. This process does not take long, when done as above and so the horse seldom learns to drop away from the hand. The horse above had never experienced this process and was able to maintain a level neck. Hope this explanation helps understand my process! Thank you!!
The demo rider is folding a bit much for me at the hip angle (especially for a rider just learning.). This can cause riders to get into the habit of folding down to the horse’s neck instead of maintaining a jumping position that is balanced and then allowing the horse’s neck to come up towards the rider’s chest during take off. There are too many riders that are taught or think that they need to fold to the horse as part of the mechanics and the release.
Hi there, Kathy. Thank you for your input. This excercise, when done as above, actually helps the rider to learn to push away from the neck for the position you are describing. This excercise is one that as a rider stabilizes their leg, their core and upper body actually straighten as they strengthen. Strange, I know. But as the balance improves the rider naturally comes up. And please note the rider is pushing their hands into the neck and not grabbing the mane (pulling themseves forward). The act of pushing presses the shoulders away. Please note, this excercise is done in trot and not over fences and so the extremity of the angle is a way to improve leg position and core strength until a rider can balance properly with a lowered heel. As a point of note, this excercise has been often used to correct a wobbling leg, lower a heel, knees that pinch, and to stabilize hands that move, which all were originating from a lack of core balance and strength. Hope this explanation helps clear up a few misgivings you might have. Thanks for watching and commenting!
One way would be to hold the two point for 2 or three strides after the jump, letting the horse land the jump and continue in canter (provided it can stay rhythmic), this extra time will allow you to regain a good balanced position and control the unfolding of your body, which will let you practice coming back into the tack quietly. After you do this enough times to feel confident about the landing you can shorten the three strides after the jump to two, then the two to one and so on. The other thing to practice while not jumping, is correctly getting into and out of the two point while trotting and cantering on the flat, being mindful of keeping your heels down at all times, and remembering to push your hands forward first as you get into two point But to bring your hands back toward you as the last element as you move back into your three point. Your hands should always remain in front of your shoulders when you are practicing this way so that your balance is enhanced. Best of luck! Let me know how it goes!
When I started riding, I started with a very bad trainer who had horrible techniques (I’m past that, so I’m not really going to go into detail about it), but one thing she never taught me how to do was two point. Now that I’m trying to learn it, I am struggling immensely. I am constantly falling back into the saddle and can’t hold the position for more than 6 trot strides. I’m also fairly certain my rising trot is incorrect, as I post very high out of the saddle and it can often be very difficult and sometimes even painful to post. My legs also have a tendency to slide very far forward. Any tips?
First I would check the length of your stirrups to make sure they are not too long. Then I would practice a two point in the walk, holding the mane while pushing my hands down firmly into the top of the neck and concentrating on pushing my heels down, and once that is mastered move to trot. Remember to push your sear slightly backward so that your hip bones are positioned over your heels, and keep your hands in the neck and ahead of your face (your hands , head (face) and elbows should make a triangle). Let me know if any of these tips help!!
@@horsepro8133 thank you so much!!! It doesn’t help that I am still a lesson student and my horse and tack don’t belong to me. The only English saddle I have access to at the moment is way too large for me (in the seat) which really makes it challenging to get into the correct position. I tried shortening my stirrups when I rode yesterday, and it helped a lot! I am working on saving up to buy my own English saddle for obvious reasons (in the past two years I have borrowed five different English saddles and not one of them has fit me right) but until then it’s incredibly frustrating to wobble around in a massive saddle! I also struggle to find good advice when it comes to English, as my trainer is a western trainer
@@phoenixequestrian8680 sorry for the late reply, but I have some tips for the posting trot. My trainer taught me to post at the walk first, think of posting as a pelvic movement rather than standing up in your saddle. Not sure if you know about diagonals, but try to rise with the outside leg. Sorry if my descriptions are sloppy, I can't lol.
If I’m on an opportunistic horse and I try to focus on my 2 point I have more trouble coming down from the jump with control of the horse because I’m not in a good position to steer after my two point. Any advice to have more control after the jump? Earlier, I tried to focus almost completely on my two point and the horse ran off because of that quick release and my position not being anchored to the saddle. Does the solution to this problem just come from practice?
Hi there! Great question! This excercise is meant to be done only in trot and on the flat for a few minutes at a time as a means to strengthen the depth of a riders leg and enhance their own balance. The situation in your description sounds like you are talking about two pointing over the fence and then having the horse be a bit too speedy on the landing? Is this correct? There are many reasons for speed or lack of balance upon landing a jump such as age and training level of the horse, general disposition of the horse, health of the horse, discipline (are you a hunter, jumper, eventer, dressage, etc), lifestyle of the horse (turn out, feed, number of times ridden per week), level of rider, level of coach. If you can send me a bit more information addressing the questions above I would be happy to give you some tips!
@@horsepro8133 I do hunter jumper, the horse gets grain and hay every day, vet check ups annually, and turnout all of the time except for bad weather and a little before lessons. Yes, my problem is when I focus on my two point the horse will often run off and I don’t have time to control it unless I have a very ugly 2 point where my hands are not far up the horses neck and I am sitting sitting back (only on small fences). I have to really neglect the jumping position or the horse will take advantage of the release and run away. I am not sure what the level of the coach is, but she does teach at a good lesson facility. Thanks for the help and I understand this video is about half seat, but I notice if I put these comments on a more viewed video I never get a response.
@@hannahsms3816 hey there. Sounds like you have addressed all the key elements of physical and outside elements! You should definitely ask your trainer about bit choice (any changes should be done supervised and under professional guidance), saddle fit, and check out what the horses past history might be? Some horses, although they might be purchased to do a job, may prefer a different job to what you intend its use to be. That is a question to discuss with your present trainer. Outside of that, trot and canter poles, practicing the half seat and full seat back and forth on the flat, and then adding in poles and doing the same, then to trot and canter pole courses, trotting into jumps, trotting in with placement poles behind (properly placed), lunging or driving the horse over poles, making sure on the flat the horse understands a half halt, balance aids, and does his downward transitions perfectly. As a rider it is key to stay fit, be patient, have great help, stay optimistic, be realistic about the horses suitability to the job, practice, and ask lots of questions!!! Sometimes it takes only a small modification for a horse to understand the intent of a rider. Sometimes you need to try a few things, and then repeat the ones that seem to work in helping your horse out to understand your desires. This can take some time. Especially on an older horse or on a green one, and also on a horse coming from a different discipline. Wishing you the absolute best of luck. Let me know if you try any of the above suggestions and if they help you. Cheers!!!
Hi there. Do you mean trot standing up? And holding the man a little to maintain balance and an upright position? This is actually a good excercise for balance, but not exactly one that works your lower leg into a jump position, or accustomed your lower back into a flattish yet comfortable and relaxed position. When you stand it forces your core to do the brunt of the work, and your foot to move slightly in order to allow for the balance of the leg into your upper body. Please let me know if you were meaning something else.
It’s so annoying because my trainer doesn’t let me ride with a good stirrup lenght for me to even sit up in the saddle and I can’t even go in the 2-point let alone jump with them
I think then the best course of action is to have a discussion with your trainer. They may have a excellent reason for your stirrup length. Perhaps they also don't realize you feel uncomfortable in your present length.
I think mane stabilization is only for beginners. A rider needs to develop core strength. If you start doing high jumps and you are holding onto the mane, you need to let go at the apex of the jump, so you don’t go flying forward over the horses head, even worse, throw the horse off balance and catch their mouth. This comes from my from my 40 years of jumping experience up to 4’ ft. Jumps.
I have started to learn two point. Making it clear that at the beginning of learning this it is totally ok to steady your balance with your hands down on the mane (the touch getting lighter if not completely off in the longer run) was a very good tip. Thank you 👍 My tip: The texts switch a tad too fast🤓
this makes so much more sense now omg thank you!!!
Thanks for breaking this down, I’ve been struggling with the wobble you mentioned a lot. It seemed either I was grabbing for balance with my lower leg, or pinching with my knee to remove my lower leg. I will practice this the way you have shown it at my next lesson.
Let me know how it works. And if you need any more detailed info. Am happy to give it!
I thought and have been told that I’m good at two point but over jumps I felt unbalanced so this helps ❤
@@Luc_Eq so glad it gave you some tips!
Thank you for this, I need help with my two point. I’ve been jumping for a year now, and every time I two point I always just stand up, I have no good fold and I’m always left feeling discouraged. Thanks for the information vid
@@Dixietheeventer you are more than welcome!
Please stay tuned as I am just about to launch a series of videos addressing basic problems most riders face at one time or another !
Thank you this helped a lot! But I remember being taught not to put pressure on the horses neck, and use your core to balance, and using your lower leg. If I remember correctly putting pressure on the horses neck will push them down causing your leg to slip back, and screw up your position. But this defiantly helped, thank you!
I was taught that as well, to not put weight on the neck but then I do what she describes - I wobble and can’t stay steady so going to give it a try...
Thank you so much for your input. There are many ways to teach a two point, and often it has to do with an instructor/trainers experiences with their own riders. For me, pressing on the neck is a means to stabilize the leg and heel position. Once the leg is strong in its position, the hands naturally will naturally lighten with the strength gthened position. Good luck!!
Hi there, Sarah! Thank you so much for your input. In my experience as a rider shifts their weight more regularly into their heel and are able to maintain it, with the aid of a stabilized set of hands, their hands will naturally lighten the weight from the neck. This process does not take long, when done as above and so the horse seldom learns to drop away from the hand. The horse above had never experienced this process and was able to maintain a level neck. Hope this explanation helps understand my process! Thank you!!
The demo rider is folding a bit much for me at the hip angle (especially for a rider just learning.). This can cause riders to get into the habit of folding down to the horse’s neck instead of maintaining a jumping position that is balanced and then allowing the horse’s neck to come up towards the rider’s chest during take off. There are too many riders that are taught or think that they need to fold to the horse as part of the mechanics and the release.
Hi there, Kathy. Thank you for your input. This excercise, when done as above, actually helps the rider to learn to push away from the neck for the position you are describing. This excercise is one that as a rider stabilizes their leg, their core and upper body actually straighten as they strengthen. Strange, I know. But as the balance improves the rider naturally comes up. And please note the rider is pushing their hands into the neck and not grabbing the mane (pulling themseves forward). The act of pushing presses the shoulders away. Please note, this excercise is done in trot and not over fences and so the extremity of the angle is a way to improve leg position and core strength until a rider can balance properly with a lowered heel.
As a point of note, this excercise has been often used to correct a wobbling leg, lower a heel, knees that pinch, and to stabilize hands that move, which all were originating from a lack of core balance and strength.
Hope this explanation helps clear up a few misgivings you might have.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Text disappears too fast to read. I backed it up again and again to try to read steps. Appreciate the lesson.
Thank you so much for the input! I will ensure to adjust the text on all future videos!
Can you give any tips for getting into the saddle softly after two point in a actual jump? I tend to just lean back
One way would be to hold the two point for 2 or three strides after the jump, letting the horse land the jump and continue in canter (provided it can stay rhythmic), this extra time will allow you to regain a good balanced position and control the unfolding of your body, which will let you practice coming back into the tack quietly. After you do this enough times to feel confident about the landing you can shorten the three strides after the jump to two, then the two to one and so on.
The other thing to practice while not jumping, is correctly getting into and out of the two point while trotting and cantering on the flat, being mindful of keeping your heels down at all times, and remembering to push your hands forward first as you get into two point But to bring your hands back toward you as the last element as you move back into your three point. Your hands should always remain in front of your shoulders when you are practicing this way so that your balance is enhanced.
Best of luck! Let me know how it goes!
@@horsepro8133 thanks SO much. I'll try both methods in my next lesson, and I'll let you know how it goes. I'll have some vids up to see the progress.
When I started riding, I started with a very bad trainer who had horrible techniques (I’m past that, so I’m not really going to go into detail about it), but one thing she never taught me how to do was two point. Now that I’m trying to learn it, I am struggling immensely. I am constantly falling back into the saddle and can’t hold the position for more than 6 trot strides. I’m also fairly certain my rising trot is incorrect, as I post very high out of the saddle and it can often be very difficult and sometimes even painful to post. My legs also have a tendency to slide very far forward. Any tips?
First I would check the length of your stirrups to make sure they are not too long. Then I would practice a two point in the walk, holding the mane while pushing my hands down firmly into the top of the neck and concentrating on pushing my heels down, and once that is mastered move to trot. Remember to push your sear slightly backward so that your hip bones are positioned over your heels, and keep your hands in the neck and ahead of your face (your hands , head (face) and elbows should make a triangle).
Let me know if any of these tips help!!
@@horsepro8133 thank you so much!!! It doesn’t help that I am still a lesson student and my horse and tack don’t belong to me. The only English saddle I have access to at the moment is way too large for me (in the seat) which really makes it challenging to get into the correct position. I tried shortening my stirrups when I rode yesterday, and it helped a lot! I am working on saving up to buy my own English saddle for obvious reasons (in the past two years I have borrowed five different English saddles and not one of them has fit me right) but until then it’s incredibly frustrating to wobble around in a massive saddle! I also struggle to find good advice when it comes to English, as my trainer is a western trainer
@@phoenixequestrian8680 best of luck! Let me know how you get on!
@@phoenixequestrian8680 sorry for the late reply, but I have some tips for the posting trot. My trainer taught me to post at the walk first, think of posting as a pelvic movement rather than standing up in your saddle. Not sure if you know about diagonals, but try to rise with the outside leg. Sorry if my descriptions are sloppy, I can't lol.
If I’m on an opportunistic horse and I try to focus on my 2 point I have more trouble coming down from the jump with control of the horse because I’m not in a good position to steer after my two point. Any advice to have more control after the jump? Earlier, I tried to focus almost completely on my two point and the horse ran off because of that quick release and my position not being anchored to the saddle. Does the solution to this problem just come from practice?
Hi there! Great question! This excercise is meant to be done only in trot and on the flat for a few minutes at a time as a means to strengthen the depth of a riders leg and enhance their own balance.
The situation in your description sounds like you are talking about two pointing over the fence and then having the horse be a bit too speedy on the landing? Is this correct?
There are many reasons for speed or lack of balance upon landing a jump such as age and training level of the horse, general disposition of the horse, health of the horse, discipline (are you a hunter, jumper, eventer, dressage, etc), lifestyle of the horse (turn out, feed, number of times ridden per week), level of rider, level of coach.
If you can send me a bit more information addressing the questions above I would be happy to give you some tips!
@@horsepro8133 I do hunter jumper, the horse gets grain and hay every day, vet check ups annually, and turnout all of the time except for bad weather and a little before lessons.
Yes, my problem is when I focus on my two point the horse will often run off and I don’t have time to control it unless I have a very ugly 2 point where my hands are not far up the horses neck and I am sitting sitting back (only on small fences). I have to really neglect the jumping position or the horse will take advantage of the release and run away. I am not sure what the level of the coach is, but she does teach at a good lesson facility.
Thanks for the help and I understand this video is about half seat, but I notice if I put these comments on a more viewed video I never get a response.
@@hannahsms3816 hey there. Sounds like you have addressed all the key elements of physical and outside elements! You should definitely ask your trainer about bit choice (any changes should be done supervised and under professional guidance), saddle fit, and check out what the horses past history might be? Some horses, although they might be purchased to do a job, may prefer a different job to what you intend its use to be. That is a question to discuss with your present trainer.
Outside of that, trot and canter poles, practicing the half seat and full seat back and forth on the flat, and then adding in poles and doing the same, then to trot and canter pole courses, trotting into jumps, trotting in with placement poles behind (properly placed), lunging or driving the horse over poles, making sure on the flat the horse understands a half halt, balance aids, and does his downward transitions perfectly.
As a rider it is key to stay fit, be patient, have great help, stay optimistic, be realistic about the horses suitability to the job, practice, and ask lots of questions!!!
Sometimes it takes only a small modification for a horse to understand the intent of a rider. Sometimes you need to try a few things, and then repeat the ones that seem to work in helping your horse out to understand your desires. This can take some time. Especially on an older horse or on a green one, and also on a horse coming from a different discipline.
Wishing you the absolute best of luck. Let me know if you try any of the above suggestions and if they help you. Cheers!!!
@@horsepro8133 Thanks
What do i do if i stand up instead of do any of this?
Hi there. Do you mean trot standing up? And holding the man a little to maintain balance and an upright position? This is actually a good excercise for balance, but not exactly one that works your lower leg into a jump position, or accustomed your lower back into a flattish yet comfortable and relaxed position.
When you stand it forces your core to do the brunt of the work, and your foot to move slightly in order to allow for the balance of the leg into your upper body.
Please let me know if you were meaning something else.
It’s so annoying because my trainer doesn’t let me ride with a good stirrup lenght for me to even sit up in the saddle and I can’t even go in the 2-point let alone jump with them
I think then the best course of action is to have a discussion with your trainer. They may have a excellent reason for your stirrup length. Perhaps they also don't realize you feel uncomfortable in your present length.
I think mane stabilization is only for beginners. A rider needs to develop core strength. If you start doing high jumps and you are holding onto the mane, you need to let go at the apex of the jump, so you don’t go flying forward over the horses head, even worse, throw the horse off balance and catch their mouth. This comes from my from my 40 years of jumping experience up to 4’ ft. Jumps.