February/March 2013 - Page 22
Skijoring originated in Scandinavia, where skiing
behind reindeer gave travellers a way of getting from
one place to another when roads were impassable.
Using Nordic or cross-country skis and an animal
broken to harness, the practice has existed for centuries
in northern alpine regions. Modern roads and vehicles
have made skijoring obsolete, and it nearly faded
into history before taking off in the modern era as a
fun pastime, and then a spectacular and exhilarating
extreme sport.
Apart from the traditional reindeer, which are still
used in Norway, dogs, horses, and occasionally mules
are used pull a person on skis rather than a sled.
Combining harness driving and skiing skills, equine
skijoring is generally a relaxed jaunt across country
for one, two, or a group of people and horses. Two
people and one horse are a more relaxing alternative,
one person riding to control pace, direction and speed.
Level to gently undulating ground is preferable, as
there's little way of regulating speed downhill on
skis, without poles; the skier's hands, of course,
are occupied with holding the towrope handle.
Equipment is not specialised. Short skis, and a single
towrope such as in water skiing may be used, looped
around the horn of a Western saddle, or attached to
the horse's breastplate, or back of the saddle. Proper
harness traces can be used, but they are not necessary.
Skiing behind a cantering horse is exhilarating, but
higher speed does increase difficulty and danger. On
a downhill slope the skis may end up very close to the
horse's hind legs and perhaps sliding underneath. If
the horse and skier part company and the horse bolts
for home, the rider cannot get far on skis without poles,
and will need to walk home carrying the mode of
transport. For competent skiers, speed and slopes are no
problem. With a suitably trained and well-conditioned
horse, two skiers can be drawn with little trouble. With
two people, riding and skiing can be alternated.
In the French Alps, skijoring has become an alternative
to traditional skiing for the environmentally conscious,
with the activity featuring at many alpine resorts,
similar to trail riding, in summer. "There's no noise,
In countries that experience snow, the winter months can be limiting for horse riders,
who are mostly restricted to taking their equine fix indoors. For a growing number of
horse enthusiasts, however, the snowy conditions are an invitation to saddle up, grab a
riding friend and go for a...ski.
by Wendy Elks