Ski Spot Run: The Enchanting World of Skijoring and Related Dog-Powered Sports [Paperback]

Matt Haakenstad (Author), John Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2004

Ski Spot Run: The Enchanting World of Skijoring and Related Dog-Powered Sports.

Learn the basics of skijoring, canicross, bikejoring and rollerjoring. Gain insight into required equipment, proper fit and training techniques. Laugh at humorous drawings and stories, your dog's perspective and a fresh variation of Murphy's Law. Discover how to become a responsible participant and advocate for skijoring and related dog-powered sports.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Matt Haakenstad enjoys skijoring with his black lab, Sadie. In the warmer seasons they modify their routine to include canicross and bikejoring. Matt has been passionate about outdoor winter sports such as downhill and cross-country skiing since he was four years old, and is a frequent visitor by ski and canoe to Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

John Thompson has raced competitively as a skijorer for seven seasons. In 2001 he placed 5th in the 23k event at the International Federation of Sled Dog Sports Skijoring World Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska. John also enjoys bikejoring, rollerjoring, and canicross with his Alaskan huskies, Timber and Kiska. He owns Skijor Now, a skijoring equipment manufacturing and supply business.

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: KISATI Ventures (July 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974801100
• ISBN-13: 978-0974801100
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for the beginner and beyond!, November 28, 2005

By 

MinnesotaBookHound "MinnesotaBookHound" (Osage, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ski Spot Run: The Enchanting World of Skijoring and Related Dog-Powered Sports (Paperback)

Ski Spot Run review

This book is an excellent introduction to skijoring. It begins with the basics, including the history of the sport. It includes plenty of tips and suggestions for how to get started, ways to encourage your dog to pull and general training ideas. The section on commands alone is worth the price of admission - it lays out very clearly when to use each command and how to get your dog to execute the commands. And it seems to contain plenty of material to help both skier and dog continue to train, improve, and enjoy the sport. I also enjoyed the humor that the authors wove into the book. This made it a very easy read. The illustrations and photos are high caliber and help to convey things like how to put a harness on your dog, proper technique for skiing or running behind your dog, and recommended equipment for the sport.

I'd recommend Ski Spot Run to people interested in skijoring as well as those that simply enjoy dogs. The authors obviously care deeply for and respect dogs, and this shows through in just about every aspect of their book. I especially liked their inclusion of the dog's point of view...I seem to look at the trail a little differently now,even when I'm just out walking my dog!
It is to snow this evening and I am looking forward to taking Frannie out into our trails for a trek!!

Jeff

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A straightforward introduction to skijoring, October 30, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ski Spot Run: The Enchanting World of Skijoring and Related Dog-Powered Sports (Paperback)

Enhanced with black-and-white photography, as well as the line drawn illustrations of Jack Lunde, Ski Spot Run: The enchanting World Of Skijoring And Related Dog-Powered Sports is the collabortive work of Matt Haakenstad and John Thompson and will be of especial interest to outdoors winter sports enthusiasts who wish to involve their canine companions. A straightforward introduction to skijoring - a winter sport in which a person wearing skis is drawn over snow by a dog or a horse - as well as the basics of training one's dog to pull, how to wear and use appropriate belts, harnesses, and other equipment, etiquette when on the trail, and much more fills this superb reference compendium. Black-and-white diagrams and photographs round out the simple, vivacious instructions, which are narrated in plain terms for dog lovers of all backgrounds.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bloodhound Bikejoring, November 22, 2005

By 

C. Maes "Hound Dog" (Mpls., MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ski Spot Run: The Enchanting World of Skijoring and Related Dog-Powered Sports (Paperback)

Walking and running simply isn't enough for our Bloodhound. The section on bikejoring is a perfect solution and she loves it - so do we! This is a well written book with an incredible insight into the canine world and their instinctual habits to lead. We gave the book as gifts to our friends and family. The recipients have Labradors, Weimaraners, and a Shepherd-Mix. Each has thoroughly enjoyed the book and has tried different types of skijoring and has loved it - as do their pets. Kudos to the authors!