Fishing on the Net
By Bonnie Nelson
Mush! Gee! Haw!
This Saturday marks the beginning of the Iditarod. Most of us have heard of the Iditarodóthe last great race on earthóthat have dog sleds racing from Anchorage to Nome Alaska. What a trip it must be. The race pits man and animal against nature, against 1150 miles of wild Alaska. As each mile is covered it is a tribute to Alaskaís past. The Iditarod Trail, a National Historic Trail, began as a mail and supply route from the coastal towns of Seward and Knik to the interior mining camps and to west coast communities. Mail and supplies went in. Gold came out all by dog sled. In 1925, part of the Iditarod Trail became a life saving highway for epidemic-stricken Nome. Diphtheria threatened and serum had to be brought in; again by intrepid dog mushers and their faithful hard-driving dogs (http://www.iditarod.com/learn/).
Most northern dog breeds that are used as sled dogs include the Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Eskimo Dogs, Greenlands, Samoyeds, among others. But lots of different breeds of dogs can be used to drive sleds and carts. People have used Irish Setters, Dalmations, Golden Retrievers to enjoy mushing sports. Most modern day speed and endurance mushers use mixed breeds (often Siberian crossed with Greyhound). So you can enjoy the sport of sledding even if you do not have a "sled dog".
Dog driving is work! It is not merely riding on the back of the sled issuing commands to steer the dogs. You will pull muscles, fall off the sled and have to pull yourself back on the runners with one hand, run yourself ragged chasing after the team, run into trees, and so on. In addition to these things, a musher must "peddle" the sled. Peddling is pushing the sled forward with one foot while riding the sled. You may also frequently get off to run alongside when the dogs are tired. To successfully drive sled dogs, the musher must train his or her body for endurance and flexibility. Running, biking, cross country skiing and downhill skiing are all good ways to build strength (http://www.krabloonik.com/faq.html).
The dogs in a sled dog team must be very well bonded to the driver. The dogs are looking to you as their undisputed leader, and you and they work together as a *team*. Sled dogs must be trained, and start them young. Get a puppy used to its harness, just as you would a collar and leash. Also let the puppy get used to pulling things. Here are a few of the commands sled dogs must know.
Hike: Get the dogs moving
Gee: Turn right
Haw: Turn left
Easy: Slow down
So for the next several days when we still have the possibility of cold weather, think of those who are racing the Iditarod and mush them on to victory.
Bonnie Nelson is a freelance writer living in Fountain, CO. If you have any comments or questions email her at waltbon@comcast.net.
CONTACT THE WRITER • WALTBON@COMCAST.nET
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