Riding sport

Sledding is gaining more and more popularity in Belarus. Natalya Sablina explains why this is worth doing, which dogs are suitable for sledding, and how to prepare a dog for competitions. In the photo: cani cross, a type of sledding sport

How did you get into riding?

I never thought about the fact that such a sport exists. But when I was about 16 years old, I accidentally stumbled upon the club of northern sled dogs on the Internet. An announcement was also published there that sled dog competitions would be held. The minimum requirements were put forward: a harness for a dog, a belt for a person and a pull between the dog and the runner. It became interesting, and I got into the Internet to look for information. My dog ​​Elsa can be called hyperactive. Before that, we were successfully engaged in frisbee. She obeys, but also loves to pull. And I thought: why not? True, we didn’t have time for those competitions, we decided to wait for the next ones. I joined the community, started talking, they told me where to buy ammunition, how to run correctly, how to train a dog. Some of the information I found myself. And in May 2014 we took part in canicross competitions. There were 10 men and one me. Elsa and I then took 8th place. Since then, everything started. The next year we again took part in the Belarusian competitions, and starting from spring, we began to prepare for the Baltic Cup. Baltic Cup was held in several stages (Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia). Elsa and I went to Lithuania for a bikejoring competition. It was an unforgettable experience! It is one thing to watch such competitions on video, and quite another to participate live. When teams of 6-8 dogs were launched, a countdown was heard, barking was heard … goosebumps! In 2016, competitions for the Cup of Belarus were held. In canicross, Elsa and I took 1st place, and in bikejoring, husky Amur and I went through all the stages, but, unfortunately, our competitor from Ukraine did not come to the final stage, and the class did not open. Unfortunately, this year Elsa, due to her age, no longer runs.

In the photo: Canicross is a sledding sport when a dog tows a runner.

What kinds of riding sports are there?

Riding sports are divided into several types.

• Canicross – when a dog tows a runner.
• Bike joring – a dog tows a cyclist.
• The dog is towing the scooter.
• Skijoring – a dog towing a skier.
• A team of dogs is towing a musher on a sled.

In the photo: Bikejoring is a kind of sledding sport when a dog tows a cyclist.

Who can ride?

Regarding dogs, there are no restrictions at all for sledding. Any dog ​​that can run physically can do it. I saw Jack Russell participate in canicross. Yes, he does not pull, but he runs ahead of the runner, and the girl herself was very strong and as a team they performed wonderfully.

Shepherds, Malamutes, Dobermans, Royal Poodles, and other dogs participate in competitions – all are completely different. But most often it is, of course, huskies or riding mestizos.

From early childhood, a dog can be prepared for sledding – to learn to run in front. But in no case should you pull a puppy! You can start pulling at about 18 months. For bikejoring competitions, for example, dogs are allowed precisely from this age, when they are already formed and you do not risk damaging the pet’s spine. There is no age limit for retirement. My dog ​​is 8 years old and, unfortunately, she has already lost interest. But if a dog at 12 years old is still full of enthusiasm, you may well work with it. There are no restrictions on people either. Any person can come to the club, and if you have a desire and interest, you will always be helped and prompted.

You can practice sledding for fun with almost any dog.

How to prepare a dog for training and sledding competitions?

• 6 – 7 hours before training or competition, the dog should not be fed.
• The dog needs to be properly walked so that it does all its business.
• As a reward, all athletes take “motivators” to their taste. For example, one of our athletes makes minced meat balls, freezes them and takes them with him to training. I give chicken necks to dogs. In any case, it should be something that the dog does not receive every day, but only for certain work. That is, she knows that she will run now, arrive at the finish line – and it will be cool. Then she has an incentive.
• Be sure to take water with you.

How often do you need to train to prepare for sledding competitions?

When we were preparing for the races, I myself trained every day, and the dogs 2-3 times a week. I myself alternate between cycling and running, making a schedule for myself. If the competitions are scheduled for Saturday or Sunday, then from about Wednesday the dogs rest so that they gain strength and energy. During this period they have a short range, without games. Then at the start they rush forward. I judge by my dog. When she is in a harness, it is very difficult to keep her. You say: “Three, two, one …” – and she simply “carries out.”

The duration of training depends on the length of the track. It is clear that you need to start small (for example, from 500 meters) and gradually increase the distance. The maximum distance that Elsa and I ran in canicross was about 6 kilometers.

The speed a dog develops depends a lot on the person at the other end of the pull. On Canicross, Elsa and I reached speeds of up to 17 km/h. But in bike joring, the speed can be 30 km/h.

Where can you train?

You can train in any place where there is a suitable track and where they do not walk with children, so as not to provoke discontent of others. There are straight tracks along water canals, there are sections with rough terrain, there are mountainous areas. You can also train near the house if you have such a track.

In no case should there be glass so that the dog does not injure its paws. It is desirable that there is no solid asphalt, as dogs wash their pads on it.

 Tree roots, mud, sand – it’s not scary, they are also found on the competition tracks, so you need to learn how to deal with them. The main thing is not to injure the dog.

What commands should a sled dog be taught?

In sledding, there are 4 main teams:

• “Forward!”
• “Left!”
• “Right!”
• “Stand!”

 In racing, of course, there are always corners. When it comes to emergency stops, it happens that during the race you wind up on the front wheel. This is dangerous. For such a case, there is a command “Stop!” If the dog continues to run, the person will roll over. Education also plays a big role. The dog must be aware that obeying a person is vital.

Is riding a sport expensive?

When I started out, the main expenses included buying a cycling uniform (including a helmet, gloves and goggles), proper equipment for the dog (the dog should be comfortable), race fees, and if you are going abroad, also include a visa in the list. , travel and food expenses, etc. Can you make money on sledding? Hardly. But you will get a lot of pleasure and positive. But if you want to exercise for yourself, without sports ambitions, it is enough to purchase a sports uniform for yourself and ammunition for your dog.

What ammunition is needed for sledding?

A harness and a soft collar are required for the dog. The collar is needed to start, and to attach a leash to it after the race. The dog is walking not on a harness, but on a collar.

In no case do not use a strict collar or a noose!

 A pull with a shock absorber connects the dog and the runner. A special belt is provided for the runner to protect the lower back from jerks. As a rule, all ammunition is included in the kit. That is, the seller usually has a harness, a pull, and a belt. To order ammunition, measurements are taken from the dog: chest circumference and back length. The dog should not manage to emerge from the harness if it backs out, nor should it be tight or chafing.

What sledding competitions are held in Belarus?

Dryland is held annually in Vyazynka – it is organized by the Club of Northern Sled Dogs. These are summer disciplines. Also, for the second year in a row, the Cup of Belarus is held, which includes 3-4 stages in summer disciplines. The “Zaviruha” competitions were once held, but, unfortunately, we do not have enough snow for them so far .

There are rules, regulations for the races, they are held officially.

 There is a judge at the races, the starting protocol is filled out. Participants start after a certain time (usually after 1 minute). The time of crossing the finish line is fixed. Then comes the counting of time and awards. Along the length of the track there are people who make sure that there are no violations. In no case should you hit the dog and pull it along. If you did not let the athlete who is overtaking you, and even your dog confront the opponent’s dog, you may be disqualified or fined for a while. If a veterinarian is present, before the start and at the finish line, he checks the condition of the dogs: he measures the pulse, heartbeat, and feels the joints. If the dog is ill, she is given first aid.

Photo report from the sled dog competition in Minsk