Sled-dog racing terms
Mush! Hike! All right! Let's go! - Go! ('Mush' is from the French 'Marchez!')
Haw -Turn left.
Gee - (Pronounced 'Ghee') Turn right.
On by - Go past an object; don't stop to investigate it.
Whoa! - Stop!
Trail! - Request for right-of-way on the trail, when passing another racer.
Pedaling - Pushing the sled forward with one foot, much the way skateboarders propel themselves.
Booties - A socklike covering for sled dogs' paws so that ice doesn't form between their toes.
Snow hook - A heavy piece of metal attached to the sled by rope. The hook is stuck in the snow to hold the team for short periods.
The Iditarod sled-dog race began March 3 in Anchorage, Alaska. The first finisher isn't expected in Nome until March 13. For up-to-date news on the race, try these websites:
www.dogsled.com Click on 'Kidszone' to learn how to make your own dog biscuits. 'Musher Bios' looks at this year's racers.
Other good sites:
www.sleddogcentral.com
www.iditarod.com
www.isdra.org
(c) Copyright 2001. The Christian Science Publishing Society
