Westcountry Sled Dogs
The home of sled dog fun!
Rules of Mushing
Code of Conduct.
Code of Conduct for Members of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain when Training Sled Dogs.
We follow the rules as set out by the Siberian Husky Club.
1. All dogs must be kept under control and/or tethered at all times.
2. Size of teams should be limited to what is considered safe and manageable on the trails being used, bearing in mind terrain, conditions and usage of the area.
3. Teams must always proceed with courtesy, care and consideration for all other users and land managers.
4. When encountering other users, teams must be kept under control and care taken not to cause alarm, particularly to horses and other animals.
5. Teams must remain on the designated trails and adhere to any specific requirements of the Landowner, including permissions and time constraints imposed.
6. Teams should be clearly visible to other users and if training after dark, lights should be used.
7. Training should only be undertaken if temperatures and humidity levels are appropriate.
8. All gates must be left as found.
9. Do not obstruct access points.
10. Take all litter and rubbish away from the site.
Aims for Trails:
1. To have good surface, not too stony or abrasive.
2. To have a looped course with start and finish in close proximity, preferably offering variable distances.
3. To have parking facilities, not too close to a busy road.
Forestry Commission Rules
The rules have changed recently, if you are using FC land, so please make sure you know them. These are the basics:
- You must have a permit if you are running dogs in harness, whether it be for 2, 3 or 4 wheels.
- You must wear a FC bib when running your dogs.
- You must display a permit pass clearly in your vehicle when parking on FC land.
- You must follow the given rules on your permit for each specified site you are given.
Health and Safety We recommend the following for your safety, and that of your dog.Remember you are responsible for your dog’s health and well-being!
We are here to help each other - no one is alone!
For Your Dogs
1. Always bring a water bowl.
2. Always bring lots of water.
3. You may need a towel for those wet days.
4. Have a first aid kit available for those emergencies.
5. Keep your dog on a lead at all times.
6. Make sure you have a correctly fitted harness for each dog.
7. Make sure you check your equipment, and have spares where possible.
8. Always "walk your dog out" before running to stretch legs - and just in case they need a wee or a poo!
9. Always have your bowl and water ready for the end of the run.
10. Whilst running, look after your dogs well-being, go at their pace! Make sure they don't over do it!
11. Allow your dog to drink after the run.
12. Always "walk your dog out" after running in order to stretch their legs.
We are responsible dog owners - so pick up that poo!
If there are no dog bins - take it home with you!
Mmmmm - Smelly!
For You
1. We recommend you wear a bicycle helmet.
2. We recommend you wear suitable clothing for the weather and the terrain.
3. We recommend you wear brightly coloured clothing - FC bib!
4. Use suitable lighting at night.
5. Always plan the route with other mushers before you set off.
6. Take a mobile phone with you in case you need assistance.
7. Keep a first aid kit handy for emergencies.
8. Always follow the signs and rules provided by the landowners.
9. Inform the landowners of any property damaged that you find.
10. Make other dog owners aware of what you are doing at the site, where possible.
We recommend that you join the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain for insurance purposes, or another affiliation. Snopeak can direct you to a suitable training insurance.
If you have an accident and your dog is injured during this sport, your pet plan will not cover these costs!
We recommend the following for your safety, and that of your dog. Remember you are responsible for your dog’s health and well-being! We are here to help each other - no one is alone! For Your Dogs
1. Always bring a water bowl.
2. Always bring lots of water.
3. You may need a towel for those wet days.
4. Have a first aid kit available for those emergencies.
5. Keep your dog on a lead at all times.
6. Make sure you have a correctly fitted harness for each dog.
7. Make sure you check your equipment, and have spares where possible.
8. Always "walk your dog out" before running to stretch legs - and just in case they need a wee or a poo!
9. Always have your bowl and water ready for the end of the run.
10. Whilst running, look after your dogs well-being, go at their pace! Make sure they don't over do it!
11. Allow your dog to drink after the run.
12. Always "walk your dog out" after running in order to stretch their legs.
We are responsible dog owners - so pick up that poo!
If there are no dog bins - take it home with you!
Mmmmm - Smelly!
For You
1. We recommend you wear a bicycle helmet.
2. We recommend you wear suitable clothing for the weather and the terrain.
3. We recommend you wear brightly coloured clothing - FC bib!
4. Use suitable lighting at night.
5. Always plan the route with other mushers before you set off.
6. Take a mobile phone with you in case you need assistance.
7. Keep a first aid kit handy for emergencies.
8. Always follow the signs and rules provided by the landowners.
9. Inform the landowners of any property damaged that you find.
10. Make other dog owners aware of what you are doing at the site, where possible.
We recommend that you join the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain for insurance purposes, or another affiliation. Snopeak can direct you to a suitable training insurance.
If you have an accident and your dog is injured during this sport, your pet plan will not cover these costs!
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