Safety

We highly recommend wearing proper safety gear while running your dog with a scooter, or cart.  Dogs are capable of running up to 25 MPH.  Although speed is fun it can be dangerous until the dog and you more fully understand what you are expecting from each other.  Some of the items we suggest wearing are Helmet, elbow pads, knee pads and wrist guards to keep from scratching up your hands from road rash if you fall on pavement.  You don’t have to wear all of this but at least wear a helmet.  You can find these items in stores that sell bike equipment or rollerblade equipment.  You can even find it cheaply at a thrift store.  For a short time I even went so far as to wear the shoulder pads made for hockey players.  But I had started out with too many dogs and had too much speed and did not know how to read the dogs or command them.  Take it slow and learn from each other.  We also recommend a reflective vest if you are running your dog on the street or sidewalk. This makes you more visible to others. 

 I am not just the owner of Appalachian Mushing Supplies I am also a musher using all the equipment that we make.  I run on all types of terrain using scooters, carts and sleds.  I learned most of my mushing skills by trial and error therefore; going to the hospital often.  I later learned to ask others who had more experience.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  We are here to keep you and your dog safe and having fun.  I am always willing to freely share the wisdom I have learned from accidents.  I will give you an honest answer even if I loose a sale.  I want you and your dog (s) safe.

 

I would also like to have your safety related questions so I can answer and post them here for others to learn from.  If you have questions or topics to cover on mushing safety please contact me. 

To contact us: Email or 864-423-7565

We are located in Chapin, SC (just outside of Columbia)

Reader’s comments on safety.

Attaching gangline to the scooter.

Where to put the line attaching the scooter to the dogs.  I have seen pictures where people attach them to the handle bars!  Like the very top of the handlebars.  I tried it and if you hit the front brakes your scooter flips forward with you, and if you hit the back brakes the dogs yank it out from under you.  My dogs are trained and stop on a dime.  Just stopping the scooter imagine if the dogs kept running that would be a disaster!

I agree.  Attach the line to the neck of the scooter.  This is the round tube that runs between the handlebars and the front fork of the front tire.  See Photo.