Skijoring and Equipment

By Laurie Niedermayer

Cross back - or X-back harnesses are - in my opinion the best for Siberian Huskies. H backs are great for the hound crosses - which have longer, narrower bodies.
One of the best books available on training for skijoring is "SkiJor With Your Dog" by Mari Hoe-Raitto

When you order a skijoring set up, know that at first you will need everything - the folks at Alpine Outfitters have a great little beginner’s package or you can choose to customize: http://www.alpineoutfitters.net [1]

Basic skijoring equipment is - a skijoring belt, one or two dog skijor line, quick releases, harnesses and I highly recommend the limited slip collars with the big "O" ring - way easier to catch the dogs when you have gloves/mitts on. The next basic equipment needed are cross country skis - and there - you are on your own. When you are first starting out with training - it is probably a really good idea to use a helmet, knee and elbow pads... I know this may sound like over kill - but folks - you ARE in combat - at least until you and your dog get yourselves all sorted out with balance, stopping and corners. (This is why I choose to use sleds!)

Do yourself a favor and order a couple of extra necklines - these can be used to great effect in harness training new dogs- run the neck line from one side of the harness, under the belly and clip to the other side and volia' instant belly band - this keeps the dog(s) from backing out of harness the first few times you run them. They can also be used in an emergency if you break a line or have a dog chew through a tugline or a harness - just hook into the line and away you go until you can get home. They become a part of our daily wear in the winter months as we all walk around with at least two necklines clipped to our coats.

Something you should always have extra of (even with skijoring - but particularly if you run on a sled or cart/scooter) - is the lightweight aluminum locking carabiners. Use them to connect your ganglines and shock lines to each other and the sled/cart/scooter. You will find a myriad of uses for them off and on the trail. A spare quick release can be handy - for those just in case times.

It is also good to have a two harnesses per dog - just in case one gets chewed or torn or is wet and muddy, etc... and be aware that if your dog is under 2 or 3 years old - you will need a harness for the first year and then - because they do grow and fill out so much between 2 & 3 (depending on how much you run them) - that usually the first harness you buy is only a 'training' harness as they will grow out of it. After age 3 though, unless you allow your dogs to get fat - the harness you buy when the dog has fully filled out - will likely be the last harness you will have to buy. (Chewing accidents aside)

Harness maintenance - wash in cold water and do not use soap - unless it is a liquid with no phosphates... a drop or two of eucalyptus or tea tree oil can help to freshen and disinfect - hang to dry - DO NOT put them in the dryer because they will shrink.

That’s all for now folks. Have a great time on your skijoring adventures!