Mushing Equipment -pictures coming soon
Because I found it hard to find the names of the equipment and what each part looks like when I first started out, I thought I would help new comers to the sport by showing you the equipment, listing the names of the parts and showing you where it goes.
rigs and sleds
A rig is used where there isn't snow. You stand on the rig while the dogs attached to the front pull you. Most rigs are 3 wheeled, but you do find some 4 wheeled rigs. Many parts on the rig are standard bike parts so they can be upgraded and replaced easily. Our rig was supplied to us by steeldog rigs. Sleds are what rigs were developed from. Sled are used on snow.
Harnesses
There is two styles racing harnesses. One is called an X-back harness, because of the shape it makes on the back of the dog. The other style is called a H-back harness, it is called this for the same reason. Harnesses must fit the dog properly or the dog will get an injury. the fit needs to be tight fit to the dog, and the end of the harness should be on the base of the dog's tail. We use Culpeppers and Manmat harnesses.
Ganglines
Ganglines are the lengths of 'rope' joining the harnesses to the rig or sled. These are usually made with hollow braid poly rope. Some people run there dogs in 'fan' formation where the gangline spilts into a fan shape. Some people use a staggered line where the dogs run on a straight line but seperated from the next dog. Most people in the UK use a gangline were the dogs run in pairs. Ganglines should always be attached to a rig or sled by a shock absorber/damper to prevent injury.
Necklines
Necklines are small lengths or poly rope, (like the ganglines) that attach the dog's collar to the gangline, or two lead dogs together.
Snubline
A snubline is really a safety line to hold the dogs when you have to stop. The idea is to tie it to a tree or some sort of stationary object, until you are ready to go again.
Rig and sled bags
Sled bags go on sled, and because sleds are bigger than rigs you can put more in a sled bag. Rig bag's main use are to carry a injured dog to the finish. You need a rig bag if you are running 3 or more dogs in UK mushing events. Some people are calling for this rule to be abolished because the rig bag is usless with dogs that are too big to fit in the bag. Eg Alaska Malamutes.
