Strength training for 2 point

[tabula_rashah]

So almost 20 years ago, I had a bad riding accident in the warm up at a show and ended up shattering two vertebrae. After the accident, it was several months before I could ride again and even longer before I had clearance to do anything more than walk. So… I haven’t jumped anything other than some logs on trail etc since. I had gained a lot of weight and didn’t think I should jump plus, while I wasn’t really scared to jump, I did lack some confidence about it. I switched to endurance and definitely have been riding plenty just a very different discipline.

Fast forward to now… I have recently lost a lot of weight and gotten in the best shape of my life. I am running 50K ultras, strength training several times a week, riding etc. So I decided to try some jumping lessons again. I had my 3rd one last night. But I am finding that what I am struggling with is keeping myself in a proper 2 point and I’m trying to find any particular workouts to focus on that- any suggestions? I do have my own horses to practice on and have been doing that but honestly the body position my endurance saddles put me in is very, very different.

[BrendaJane]

what is the problem? leg strength? it is an odd static dynamic position!

Back in the day our dad told us to assume the stance and hold it for 2 or 3 minutes (the duration of a race) and bounce just a little - ouch!

I think ski gymnastic can help as well, it used to be a thing when skiing was hot in the 80s, gyms offered classes, tv shows catered to homebuddies

[tabula_rashah]

Maybe leg strength IDK- it’s frustrating because it seems like I just can’t hold it? But I can stay that way forever in my endurance saddles.

ETA: I am trying to find a used jumping saddle that fits me and at least 1 of my horses that isn’t a million dollars so I can practice

[Scribbler]

I have found the best exercise for two point is two point. Go for a trail ride at the trot, get into two point on a loose rein and just ride til you can’t no more. Give yourself a break and agsin. It pairs really well with trot sets for horse fitness. Don’t rest on the neck, crest release. Once you can do trot forever start canter. If you try canter unfit you just slam around or brace on the Stirrups.

The other thing is makes sure your saddle fits you and wear silicone grip full seat breeches.

[BrendaJane]

true, the best way is doing, but the dry swimming is for when you can’t (yet) make it to the slopes.

[tabula_rashah]

I guess I just need another saddle in my collection lol because I can literally do that forever in my endurance saddles and it’s no issue but I can’t shorten my stirrups enough to mimic a similar leg position to a cc saddle

[Scribbler]

If you can’t shorten the Stirrups in a jump saddle I’m going to assume the seat is too short for your femur and your knee is running over the knee roll? Classic saddle fit for rider problem. I can kind of two point in my dressage saddle but it’s not the same thing as 8n the jump saddle with shorter Stirrups.

[tabula_rashah]

I don’t have a jump saddle- just my endurance saddles that can’t be shortened enough to be a similar leg position to a jump saddle. The saddle that I ride in for lessons belongs to the horse/ trainer

[GoodTimes]

It’s definitely possible that the saddle that you’re using for jumping just isn’t working for you.

Doesn’t hurt to add in a few more exercises though to make sure that your glutes/hamstrings/lower back, as well as your core are strong enough to keep you up and balanced. Especially as you start jumping. Many people get in to the bad habit of folding forward too much and laying on the neck because they don’t have the strength to stay away from the horse without falling backwards.

Check out this video series.

Taylor Campbell

I did my undergrad with Taylor. She’s the PT for the Canadian Paralympic team and is a rider herself. While the exercises in the videos may seem basic, they’re great when done correctly. Good for targeting riding muscles, balance, as well as asymmetries.
Lots of different exercises to choose from, some will be of more benefit than others, depending on the individual.

[Scribbler]

So you need to check the lesson saddle.

Is it long enough for your femur? Is it slippery? Why can’t you shorten the Stirrups? Does it tilt you forward or back?

Two point in an endurance or dressage or Western saddle can be more like standing in the Stirrups. In a CC saddle it’s more getting out of the tack with your thighs and abs in shorter Stirrups.

[tabula_rashah]

Thank you- that is exactly the type of info that I’m looking for

[tabula_rashah]

??? I’m not sure where you are getting that I can’t shorten the stirrups on the saddle I am using for lessons
Yes- long enough for my femur
Slippery- maybe a little compared to what I am used to but I have full seat silicone breeches on and had no trouble sitting some good yee-haw bucks and a big spook.
It seems very well balanced

“Two point in an endurance or dressage or Western saddle can be more like standing in the Stirrups. In a CC saddle it’s more getting out of the tack with your thighs and abs in shorter Stirrups.”
yes exactly- that is why I am asking for things I can use in strength training in the gym to help. My current routine includes 3 sets forward and back lunges, 75 squats (switch between regular, sumo and raised heel on different days) with 20 lbs weights, 3 mins of planks, single leg stability work, 100 crunches with increasing weight up to 60lbs, Russian twists with 20 lbs, plus rowing to warm up and whatever other arm and leg stuff I feel like throwing in. Plus I trail run between 20-30 miles a week and ride around 5-6 hours a week. AKA I feel a little frustrated that I can’t seem to keep my balance in 2 point

[BrendaJane]

I think you need to train more in terms of the static position. full range motion is a different strength aspect.

[Scribbler]

Can you get a CC saddle for your own horse and do trot sets on the trails? Outside of the pressure of lessons?

[GoodTimes]

The other exercise that I like to do while mounted at the halt of walk is very, very slowly rise into two point, then very, very slowly lower yourself until you’re almost sitting, and repeat.
Almost like squats on horse back. You really have to engage your glutes to keep everything stacked.

I’m not sure how effective this would be in your endurance saddle, but you could certainly do it at the beginning and end of your rides with the CC saddle.

[hybriseris]

I also really, really like two-ups for a position check and strength training. Really points out if your position is leading to poor balance somehow and boy does it make my thighs burn some days if I’m not sitting right.

[tabula_rashah]

That makes sense. The trainer had me start off doing something kind of similar to that

[tabula_rashah]

I’m not familiar with that term- can you explain? I tried google but it gave me info on how to have 2 people ride on a motorcycle lol

[Mander]

In the saddle - doing transitions in 2 point is going to really strengthen you up awfully quickly.
Walk-halt-walk. Walk-trot-walk. trot-halt-trot, etc. Very good for you AND your horse.

Out of the saddle, I recommend walking up and down stairs with bent knees (so instead of extending your legs all the way, keep some bend there), trying to keep your upper body in two point position and as steady as possible. The deeper you can keep the bend, the harder it gets and it really forces you to isolate different body parts rather than allowing your upper body to be at the mercy of what your legs are doing.

I really found this to be very helpful, especially in a canter where I was finding myself bracing a little bit during each stride, which was causing me to rock forward/back a bit. When you get back in the saddle, try to mimic that feeling of “steady on top and paddling like hell under the surface”. It may feel like you’re moving around a ton since your joints are all bending to accommodate the motion of the horse, but it really won’t look that way - think how a chicken can keep its head perfectly still while its body is moving all around underneath it.

[Ponyplusaninch]

Whoever said doing more two point is the best exercise to strengthen two point is correct…

I will add that as someone who took about 6+ years away from riding and then got back into it, I think it took a solid 18 months of regular lessons before I finally got a good two-point back. The thing someone told me and I’ll tell you: do not be afraid to grab mane. You and your horse will be a lot happier for it. It will help relieve some of the balance challenge so you can really focus on the strength component of two point.

Out of the saddle, it’s really hard to replicate, but if you do wide-stance squats on a step ledge with your heels hanging over, you can get pretty close to that balance-strength feel you need in the saddle.