Ultimate shoulder rides

One method I enjoy is to have my horse interlock his fingers together and hold out his hands in front of him like a stirrup for me. I then step on his hands, grab a fistful of hair to steady myself and swing my free leg around his neck. The nice thing about this method is that it doesn't force your horse to bend or squat too much. The not so nice thing for your horse (but I quite like it) is that you will land with a thump on your horse's neck.
I've tried the methods you described and the squat and dip methods are usually harder on the carriers legs or backs - usually the lifting up is the hardest. Generally, standing on a raised area is the easiest for the horse. When I do that I like to stand on something that is not quite so tall, so that my horse still has to lower his head - but the effort required to straighten is not nearly as much.
One method I do not recommend but one that I have done and I do enjoy: stand behind your horse, put your hands on your horse's shoulders and jump onto his shoulders. This is quite fun, but your horse has to be ready for you..and even when they are they could still become off balance.

checkmateguy wrote:

ridecarry's post raises the interesting question: if you are a rider, how do you like to mount a pony or be lifted? Or if you are a pony, how do you like to be mounted or how do you like to lift a rider?

There are various ways that a rider can be lifted up onto the pony's shoulders. The rider can stand with his or her legs apart while the pony stand behind the rider and then lowers his or her head down and pushes it between the rider's thighs and then lift the rider up as though the pony's neck is the jib of a crane - this is the 'dip and lift' method.

Or the pony can crouch down in the squat position whereupon the rider, who is standing behind the pony, mounts the pony's shoulders. The pony then raises himself or herself up from the squat position until he or she is standing upright with the rider sat astride the pony's shoulders - this is the 'squat and stand' position.

Another way that the rider can get on the pony's shoulders is for the rider to stand on a raised area like a chair, table, bench or, as I've done, a fallen tree truck, whereupon the pony backs up to the rider who then climbs astride the pony's shoulders. If the rider is standing on something that is high enough, he or she can simply slip down astride the pony's shoulders by hooking one leg and then the other over the pony's shoulders - this is the 'back mount' position.

Can members suggest any other ways of mounting a pony or lifting a rider?

I like Krisbean method of using the hands as a stirrup . I will have to try that next time I give a.shoulder ride .     i agree too that standing and jumping up on the persons shoulders is fun but can be dangerous as well .  I have had a rider get on my shoulders like that and its very tricky keeping balance that way.

Lol, Ali2121 the hair part is not crucial, I've steadied myself by placing my hand on the top of the horse's head as well. I can prove it to you I'm sure! 

ali2121 wrote:

Having met Krisbean last year,I can vouch for most of the methods he advocates.But grabbing hold of a tuft of MY hair would fail miserably,as I have hardly any on top of my head!!(I like to call this a 9 inch parting).

In addition to the various ways of mounting a pony's shoulders, I should mention the way god524057 does it. He's a skinny young Taiwanese guy who has (or had) another Taiwanese student guy as his pony. His technique was what could be described as 'run and jump.' His videos showed his pony sat or kneeling on the floor with god524057 stood behind him. god524057 would then run towards his pony and literally jump astride his pony's shoulders. You could almost hear the pony's neck bones and back bones creak under the sudden weight. You could also see the pain and shock on the pony's face as god524057 jumped astride his shoulders. I believe that there is still one of god524057's videos on xtube. It's called 'back ride' and shows god524057 riding astride his pony's neck, firstly backwards and then forwards as the pony stands on all fours. It's extreme shoulder-riding (and shoulder-sitting) and his videos are notable for the passive way/manner that his pony acts (i.e. totally compliant) while he's being shoulder-rode/sat by god524057.

http://www.youtube.com/user/LATINRIDER99/videos  is his Youtube. For the moment two nice rides, but not climbing up like that Maybe you try it in april, Frenk?

So, we going to have a 3 guy meeting? Sounds nice! Then you can nearly made continius rides. Mount up from one pony to another!

frenk5080 wrote:

checkmateguy wrote:

Can members suggest any other ways of mounting a pony or lifting a rider?

I'v seen another, rather interesting, way to mount using the upper leg of the pony to step on, grabbing his hand for balance and then swing your leg over his shoulder. Some guy from Peru posted a large number of videos showing this technique on YouTube. Can't seem to find them right now. Maybe Shouldertaxi can help?

Gregoryan and I tried that! we saw it on a circus clip. It worked to a degree.
It helped that he's a whole foot taller than me and quite graceful.

So the three of you might meet! I hope that happens!

frenk5080 wrote:

checkmateguy wrote:

Can members suggest any other ways of mounting a pony or lifting a rider?

I'v seen another, rather interesting, way to mount using the upper leg of the pony to step on, grabbing his hand for balance and then swing your leg over his shoulder.

This is much used by cheerleaders. I have tried it myself and it´s quite a comfortable way of mounting.

When I was a child and in my early teens, I often went to swim in the sea with my friends. I liked to surprise them by diving between their legs when they least expected it and hoist them up on my shoulders.

Fan_of_MissP wrote:

Wildfiregirl, would you be interested an another pony ??

Only if you change your name to fan_of_wildfiregirl

Sometimes . Where at ? I have relatives in Virginia and Maine

Toledo Ohio

How often do you come to VA? When are you coming next? Where in VA?

ridecarry wrote:

Toledo Ohio

I have a trip planned for Australia next year so that is why i am planning.

If it is OK with you do let me know

Wildfiregirl wrote:

Fan_of_MissP wrote:

Wildfiregirl wrote:

I would try riding. But usually, I am the pony

OK, great that you are willing to try riding.  I am planning a trip to Australia next year. SHould I email you ??

You can, but I am awfully slow with emails (I've emailed with Ali and Gregoryan from this site, and have met Gregoryan, both can attest to how bad I am with emails!)

And like I said - I would *try* riding, perhaps with someone who also likes to ride or to 'swap' rides, and whom I enjoy conversation with.
I think you might be better meeting MissP, to be honest. (Oh, and I'd totally give her a ride if I could!!)