Getting Started
Getting Started
For the skier:
Almost any skis will work for skijoring. Skate skis work well on groomed
trails or with fast dogs. You can use diagonal stride skis on narrow un-groomed
trails. ASPA does not recommend metal edged skis because of the possibility
of serious injury to the dog.
Poles should fit the skier, snow conditions and the type of skis being
used.
Boots should fit the ski bindings and type of ski being used. Over-boots
or insulated boots are recommended in cold weather. Picture
of skiis, poles and boots
For the dog:
A standard sled dog racing
harness works well for skijoring. The harnesses are sold by the weight
of the dog, but try the harness on and check for proper fit. Put the harness
on the dog and pull on the loop at the tail end of the harness. The dog’s
breastbone should meet the harness just beneath where the neck straps
come together. If the harness is too big, the breastbone will stick out
the neck opening. If the harness is too small, the breastbone will be
below the joining of the neck straps. If the harness is the proper length
the end of the webbing should land right at the base of the dog’s
tail when the dog is pulling. Make sure the side straps don’t fall
over the dog’s hindquarters, but run up from the belly just ahead
of the hind legs. Sizing varies between brands so check different brands
of harnesses if you are having difficulty finding one that fits properly.
There is a new design on the market called the European Skijor Harness
(Guard Harness). The following is an excerpt from the product description
found on Howling Dog Mushing Supplies web site.
"The Guard Harness works better for skijoring than the standard sleddog
harness. The line angle between the dog and skijorer (or biker, runner)
is steeper than the line angle between a dog team and a sled. When a skijoring
line is connected to a typical X-back harness, the steeper angle will
cause a lifting force on the harness. The design of the Guard Harness
creates a flatter line angle and the dog's pull force is more evenly distributed.
"
Dog clothes:
Booties, dog coats, crotch bands or belly blankets can increase the comfort
of your dog if he has a light coat or you travel over rough trails or
during very cold weather.
Skijor equipment:
The skijor belt should be
at least three inches wide and most are padded for comfort. Many belts
have leg straps that go around the upper thigh to hold the belt in place.
The belt is connected to the skijor lines by a "quick release"
or caribiner.
Skijor lines:
The entire skijor line set up should be between 7 and 20 feet depending
on the number of dogs you have in front of you.
The bungee section of
the skijor line is between 20 and 60 inches in length and absorbs the
shock (of starting, stopping and rough terrain) for both you and your
dog. There is a loop at either end of the bungee section.
The tug line has a loop
at one end and a brass swivel snap at the other end. It connects the bungee
to the dog harness. Tug lines may be split in a Y-shape to connect two
dogs running side-by-side.
The neckline is a 6-8
inch line with small brass swivels on each end. It connects the collars
of two dogs running side-by-side or connects a single dog to a main line
when dogs are running in tandem. Neck lines can be made of bungee material.
Pulks:
Pulks are sleds that are
pulled by the dogs while the skier skis behind the pulk or in between
the dogs and pulk to steer and brake if necessary. All three (dogs, pulk
and skier) are attached by lines.
The ASPA Beginners' Clinic is usually given in November. Contact clinic coordinator Sara Elzey at skijorex2@hotmail.com for details.
The book Skijor With Your Dog can be purchased at:
Cold Spot Feeds
.25 mi Farmers Loop
Fairbanks, AK 99709
907-457-8555
Alaska Feed Co.
1600 College Rd.
Fairbanks, AK 99701
907-457-8555