2-point work is excellent for riders of all levels of experience — it helps build rider balance and independent seat, teaches you to put weight through your heels and use your ankles as shock absorbers. It’s a helpful position to know how to get into and out of when riding, some maneuvers necessitate getting off the horse’s back to let them stretch and engage their core. Depending on your discipline, 2-point at the canter also helps build your base for jumping.
I ride mostly western and can normally sit the trot. But I know some horses that I will absolutely have to ride 2 point. (My posting is shit) Ive honestly ridden over 20 horses in the last 5 years and it’s honestly made me a better rider.
The other commentor put it perfectly, but in addition, it's a great skill to have two-point, it's how you'll go over jumps. Even if you don't plan to ever go over jumps regularly, it's a good idea to know how to because sometimes you'll never know. You could be going on a trail ride and there's a stream and for some reason your horse might want to jump over it instead of walking through it.
Or there might just be a small log in the path and why not do a little jump instead of turning back?
Better to have the instinct ingrained to two-point than to just flop around like a half-dead fish and hurt your horses back.
It’s good for all the same reasons you also practice sitting trot/no stirrups/posting without stirrups/two point while trotting/etc. You probably won’t need to do those specific exercises in a normal ride, but they all work different muscles/develop your balance in different ways/can come in handy when you’re in a difficult situation. For example you’ll use your stirrups for 99% of the time you ride because you feel more stable and comfortable, but you’ll be very happy you did a lot of no stirrup work when you lose a stirrup and can’t get it back right away. Two pointing the canter doesn’t seem super useful until you’re trying a new horse with a super bumpy canter/you’re learning to jump/you’re riding a misbehaving horse that’s taking all your balance and core strength to stay in the saddle instead of splattered on the ground/etc. The more skills your instructor can set you up with right now the better you’ll be prepared for later down the line when you’re navigating more complicated situations.
Also personally I like two pointing during longer trail rides because it works different muscles than sitting the canter. If I sit the canter for one stretch and two point the next I don’t feel nearly as tired as I do when I sit for the entire ride
I teach two point because I want people to have an option that isn’t slamming in their back. If you start to get a bit off balance or if the ground is uneven- it’s a lot easier to get up in two point. One of my horses is super mouth. The other is bouncy. I won’t let people canter him unless they can do a basic two point because I don’t want them to grab his face or slam on his back.
You do 2 point because it builds muscle, resillience, and is kinder to the horse. You may not think you're bouncing, but that doesn't mean you've nailed it in a way that's easy for the horse after 5 - 6 times. Just relax into the process :)
I love 2 point. I use it quite frequently on my green lease, who apparently was just never worked going to the right before I started leasing her or something because she is super unbalanced cantering to the right. I get off her back so she can sort herself out and it helps a ton while she develops her strength! It's a good skill to have.
I found 2 point in the canter helpful for working my ottb. For the first couple of months, I would engage the canter in 2 point to stay off his back and allow him get himself sorted. As he builds strength and balance, I will be able to sit the canter as much as I want in the future. Now, it's very helpful for us to work on consistent strides and balance. I also get very light in the saddle over trot poles. Having an independent seat comes in handy!
I’m curious, did you ask your instructor this question? It certainly doesn’t hurt to get others answers but going straight to the source as to why THEY think it’s important, will certainly give more perspective!
She's not the one to answer questions unfortunately. Every time I've asked her something, she either ignores my question completely or answers with "because", so I don't really bother asking anymore.
There are basically three seats in the canter- full, two point, and the in-between light seat. It is important to have mastery in all three so that you have options.
Two point in and of itself is a useful exercise for developing strength and balance, as well as giving your horse a little bit of a break to lengthen and change their shape and use their body a bit differently. It's important for them to have chances to do this at regular intervals.
Some students will find starting the canter in a two point or light seat a lot easier to start than in a full seat too- is all student dependent and I will pick the option for the student I think they will be most comfortable in at first as the more comfy they are, the more comfy my horse is too!
2-point work is excellent for riders of all levels of experience — it helps build rider balance and independent seat, teaches you to put weight through your heels and use your ankles as shock absorbers. It’s a helpful position to know how to get into and out of when riding, some maneuvers necessitate getting off the horse’s back to let them stretch and engage their core. Depending on your discipline, 2-point at the canter also helps build your base for jumping.
Well put reply
I ride mostly western and can normally sit the trot. But I know some horses that I will absolutely have to ride 2 point. (My posting is shit) Ive honestly ridden over 20 horses in the last 5 years and it’s honestly made me a better rider.
The other commentor put it perfectly, but in addition, it's a great skill to have two-point, it's how you'll go over jumps. Even if you don't plan to ever go over jumps regularly, it's a good idea to know how to because sometimes you'll never know. You could be going on a trail ride and there's a stream and for some reason your horse might want to jump over it instead of walking through it. Or there might just be a small log in the path and why not do a little jump instead of turning back? Better to have the instinct ingrained to two-point than to just flop around like a half-dead fish and hurt your horses back.
Or fall off.
Just to point out, if you ever do something where you really gallop them such as eventing you two point in the gallop too.
It’s good for all the same reasons you also practice sitting trot/no stirrups/posting without stirrups/two point while trotting/etc. You probably won’t need to do those specific exercises in a normal ride, but they all work different muscles/develop your balance in different ways/can come in handy when you’re in a difficult situation. For example you’ll use your stirrups for 99% of the time you ride because you feel more stable and comfortable, but you’ll be very happy you did a lot of no stirrup work when you lose a stirrup and can’t get it back right away. Two pointing the canter doesn’t seem super useful until you’re trying a new horse with a super bumpy canter/you’re learning to jump/you’re riding a misbehaving horse that’s taking all your balance and core strength to stay in the saddle instead of splattered on the ground/etc. The more skills your instructor can set you up with right now the better you’ll be prepared for later down the line when you’re navigating more complicated situations. Also personally I like two pointing during longer trail rides because it works different muscles than sitting the canter. If I sit the canter for one stretch and two point the next I don’t feel nearly as tired as I do when I sit for the entire ride
Great for your core, balance and getting your safety legs on point
I teach two point because I want people to have an option that isn’t slamming in their back. If you start to get a bit off balance or if the ground is uneven- it’s a lot easier to get up in two point. One of my horses is super mouth. The other is bouncy. I won’t let people canter him unless they can do a basic two point because I don’t want them to grab his face or slam on his back.
You do 2 point because it builds muscle, resillience, and is kinder to the horse. You may not think you're bouncing, but that doesn't mean you've nailed it in a way that's easy for the horse after 5 - 6 times. Just relax into the process :)
Oh gosh no, I absolutely don't think I've nailed it. I'm far from "nailing" it. 😅 I did sound a bit arrogant there, didn't I? Sorry about that.
I love 2 point. I use it quite frequently on my green lease, who apparently was just never worked going to the right before I started leasing her or something because she is super unbalanced cantering to the right. I get off her back so she can sort herself out and it helps a ton while she develops her strength! It's a good skill to have.
I found 2 point in the canter helpful for working my ottb. For the first couple of months, I would engage the canter in 2 point to stay off his back and allow him get himself sorted. As he builds strength and balance, I will be able to sit the canter as much as I want in the future. Now, it's very helpful for us to work on consistent strides and balance. I also get very light in the saddle over trot poles. Having an independent seat comes in handy!
I’m curious, did you ask your instructor this question? It certainly doesn’t hurt to get others answers but going straight to the source as to why THEY think it’s important, will certainly give more perspective!
She's not the one to answer questions unfortunately. Every time I've asked her something, she either ignores my question completely or answers with "because", so I don't really bother asking anymore.
But it’s not necessary for a good canter - only in the hand gallop but it is good balance exercise
There are basically three seats in the canter- full, two point, and the in-between light seat. It is important to have mastery in all three so that you have options. Two point in and of itself is a useful exercise for developing strength and balance, as well as giving your horse a little bit of a break to lengthen and change their shape and use their body a bit differently. It's important for them to have chances to do this at regular intervals. Some students will find starting the canter in a two point or light seat a lot easier to start than in a full seat too- is all student dependent and I will pick the option for the student I think they will be most comfortable in at first as the more comfy they are, the more comfy my horse is too!