Americano Blue's musher/mushing chat thread

[Americano Blue]

Drum roll please!!!


introducing my sled!!!






Ok so this is my currents sled. I started it last winter and i have quite finished it.....
Any how i know it's faults so please don't tell me. My dad and I work hard on making it so I'm very proud of it.

Anyway. It holds four dogs and even though it would DIE in a race, it works well for training in places with not to steep sloped/hills (like the trails i uses) . I took the break and stuff so you can see the fame.
I'm adding on to it this winter and will hopeful buy a new sled soon.

 

[RezChamp]

I agree with Blue on not getting too many dogs at once. I started out with 4 and moved to 8 then 10 then a few more and a few more. It got a little out of hand....68 adult dogs.
Waaaaaaay too many.
Even now with just 16 it is a bit of a grind.
Mind you I aint as young as I was then.. In the spring I will keep only ten I know are true.

Feeding; I feed mine in the evening after everything is done. If I go on a long trip I will feed again only enough to ensure I can make it too the next stop, but absolutely will not go anywhere for at least an hour. I don't really know about any other breed but I do know that a huskie's stomach will flip if you don't let them digest a bit before working. This could kill them.
The reason I feed at night is because it gets very cold here and the energy from the food helps them keep warm all night and still enough energy to work almost the whole of the next day. This is how and why I feed the way I do.
I don't race my teams but they do work hard.
Stern Rose, please be aware of abrupt feeding changes while Nala is lactating for her whelps. It could kill them. If not, Nala will most likely get pretty nasty with them if her tears get that "milk fever" tenderness. I've seen this happen very often before I finally asked the older guys and veterinarians about it.
I am not new to mushing. I've been doing it for most of my life. Even when I was 5. The only time I didn't was when I got into the fast lane.
Even when I lived I lived in the city of Thompson I had 40 huskies in a kennel just outside town limits. I like to think all my exposure to mushing has taught me a thing or 2. It's not my intention to be overbearing. It's just a strong respect for dogs and others who love them. Especially those of us who express interest in mushing.

 

[SternRose]

Beautyful! If it works that all that matters.
I need dad to make me one.

 

[SternRose]

Until I decide if this sport is for me I won't go over 8. More than that is to much, I can't afford to feed 20+ dogs. Lol
When I get my own house, and get a job and if I still love mushing I will get more or breed more, but this is 20some years down the rode. Alot can change.
But as of right now, nala is great, she was hanging out with the weinner dog today, no problem.
Nala got 10cups of soft food today she ate about 8 1/2 cups of it plus 1 1/2 cups of milk. We're getting her puppy food this weekend to mix with her big kid food.
Her bellys the same size, she's no bigger than yesterday.
I started P.E. yesterday, 1hr and30minute long class! Ran the WHOLE TIME!! I can't feel my legs!

 

[Americano Blue]

I agree with Blue on not getting too many dogs at once. I started out with 4 and moved to 8 then 10 then a few more and a few more. It got a little out of hand....68 adult dogs.
Waaaaaaay too many.
Even now with just 16 it is a bit of a grind.
Mind you I aint as young as I was then.

. In the spring I will keep only ten I know are true.

Feeding; I feed mine in the evening after everything is done. If I go on a long trip I will feed again only enough to ensure I can make it too the next stop, but absolutely will not go anywhere for at least an hour. I don't really know about any other breed but I do know that a huskie's stomach will flip if you don't let them digest a bit before working. This could kill them.
The reason I feed at night is because it gets very cold here and the energy from the food helps them keep warm all night and still enough energy to work almost the whole of the next day. This is how and why I feed the way I do.
I don't race my teams but they do work hard.

Stern Rose, please be aware of abrupt feeding changes while Nala is lactating for her whelps. It could kill them. If not, Nala will most likely get pretty nasty with them if her tears get that "milk fever" tenderness. I've seen this happen very often before I finally asked the older guys and veterinarians about it.
I am not new to mushing. I've been doing it for most of my life. Even when I was 5. The only time I didn't was when I got into the fast lane.
Even when I lived I lived in the city of Thompson I had 40 huskies in a kennel just outside town limits. I like to think all my exposure to mushing has taught me a thing or 2. It's not my intention to be overbearing. It's just a strong respect for dogs and others who love them. Especially those of us who express interest in mushing.

I have never heard that before. Glad i feed after training and not before

Beautyful! If it works that all that matters.
I need dad to make me one.

thanks!

 

[RezChamp]

Drum roll please!!! introducing my sled!!! Ok so this is my currents sled. I started it last winter and i have quite finished it..... Any how i know it's faults so please don't tell me. My dad and I work hard on making it so I'm very proud of it. Anyway. It holds four dogs and even though it would DIE in a race, it works well for training in places with not to steep sloped/hills (like the trails i uses) . I took the break and stuff so you can see the fame. I'm adding on to it this winter and will hopeful buy a new sled soon.

Wow. Right on Blue. Beautiful. I'm just laughing at myself right now thinking back to what my first one looked like. I'm kinda glad I don't have a pic of it.

Your first build?!!! Wow. You are gonna be good. That little sled can last a long time and travel many miles. If I may be so bold, a 2 word hint, Lashing flexes. I don't ski anymore but have lots of skis laying around. OK if I use your idea?

 

[Americano Blue]

I had free time yesterday so i did this.....

 

[Americano Blue]

Wow. Right on Blue. Beautiful.

I'm just laughing at myself right now thinking back to what my first one looked like. I'm kinda glad I don't have a pic of it.

Your first build?!!! Wow. You are gonna be good. That little sled can last a long time and travel many miles.
If I may be so bold, a 2 word hint, Lashing flexes.

I don't ski anymore but have lots of skis laying around. OK if I use your idea?

Thanks!!!!!!!

And yes, use the ski idea. I don't know how to build runners so i used cross-country skies.

 

[RezChamp]

Until I decide if this sport is for me I won't go over 8. More than that is to much, I can't afford to feed 20+ dogs. Lol
When I get my own house, and get a job and if I still love mushing I will get more or breed more, but this is 20some years down the rode. Alot can change.
But as of right now, nala is great, she was hanging out with the weinner dog today, no problem.
Nala got 10cups of soft food today she ate about 8 1/2 cups of it plus 1 1/2 cups of milk. We're getting her puppy food this weekend to mix with her big kid food.
Her bellys the same size, she's no bigger than yesterday.
I started P.E. yesterday, 1hr and30minute long class! Ran the WHOLE TIME!! I can't feel my legs!

A K9's body does not not produce lactase after they stop nursing off their mother. Short term problems---digestion problems. Flatulence(farting) could cause her stomach to flip, and diarrhea. Long term problems---gastric ulcers, gall bladder infections, urine tract infections, deterioration of the pancreas leading to diabetes ...to name a few. Of course stuff like this can and does happen sometimes anyway but why compound it.
Domestic K9's and wolves share 99.8% mitochondrialDNA. they are both unadulterated, ascertained, fo sho, scientifically proven, no questions asked, evolutionary produced 99.8% carnivorous. They are meat eaters. Raw meat. They do not digest the same way humans do. They do not burn energy the same way humans do.
Point in question. My team of 9 pulled a 9ft toboggan loaded with enough gear and grub for 2 nights winter camping plus my hunting gear for 63 miles with 1 stop of 15 minutes at Mile 18. They each ate 1 raw frozen 4&1/2lb whole(not gutted, not scaled, not skinned, not cooked)Whitefish at 9PM the night before.

I know you love your dog and you are excited about the pups. I've made a lot of mistakes. If I can assist anyone be an effective K9 owner, if i can help a K9 to live a longer, healthier life, it will mean my suffering the guilt and pain of losing my dogs to mistakes wasn't for nothing.

I can relate to your "running legs". But you'll appreciate the ability to run when you start running dogs(mushing).
HAGD actually G-nyt
I love this thread. I feel kinda useful

 

[RezChamp]

Thanks!!!!!!!

And yes, use the ski idea. I don't know how to build runners so i used cross-country skies.

ALRIGHT! Thanks.
I'm in contact with someone who is going to show me how to build runners from trees in the bush. I'll share when(if) I learn.
Hey, how much does your sled weigh?