By this time of the seasonal weather, and having gone through a lot of the basic's of training and getting your Siberians used to the gangline, hooking up, leader standing straight out and firm to keep the gangline tight, while hooking up the rest of the team.  However, safety always calls for anchoring the ATV or cart to a tree, post, etc. this is done with a "snub line".  It can consist of cable wire covered with plastic coating or a hollow lined rope; that you have used a "fid" to make the necessary loop at one end.  Sorta reminds you of the loop, in a cowboys rope, that the line goes through; to make a lasso loop.  This way when you pull the release, the "snub one: can be released and trail behind you; as you start down the trail.  A shorter Snub line is advised here, no more than 12 feet long, so easy to curl/pull up and place in your sled bag, in case you need to use it down the trail.  Other alternative is the "quick release" snub line, that once you release; it stays attached to the tree/post used.  Hopefully, you are carrying a secondary "emergency snub line rope" in you sled bag.

By now, after all the basic training runs, you have watched the Siberians and discovered which side of the gangline, they like to run on.  Yes, some do favor one side or the other!  Those running on the right side, or even the left side; and push into the center, or are always overstepping the gangline, causing a tangle, or just tangling themselves; need to be put of the opposite side and see if that corrects the problem.  Then remember to keep them on that side for all hook-ups.  Or the last scenario, if they are constantly arguing with the opposite Siberian, then you need to relocate that Siberian on the team.  It does happen!

Chart Record Keeping.

If you have more Siberians to run than the size of the team your planning on running.  Four dog team, Six dog team, or even and Eight dog mid-distance team.

Now is the time to start using a Training Run chart, on all that are training and running.  Reason, some run better on dirt tracks, firm, or slippery mud.  Some run better on firm packed snow, with little ice, and some do better with a bit of loose "punchy" snow trails.  This way, you  will be able to make a wise decision on what dogs to run; under different trail conditions, assuming you have taken some extra Siberians with you to the race.  Now just recreational running, you don't have to worry about your race times, for positions of placement for prizes, money.

Simple chart such as this would work.

Date, Weather Conditions, Trail Conditions, Miles Ran that day, and any exception notes observed on each dog that day of running.  You will be surprised at the end of the season, just how many miles, they have racked up in their training runs.  Good to know and observe on their conditioning also.

Leaders - if raised and trained by you is best.  Sometimes those that are trained and used by someone else, "will not" perform to peak, for you.  Point/Swing dogs - these should be able to fill-in/replace the leader if necessary.  On a large mid-distance team; the Point dogs help keep the gangline tight and move the team around corners on the race trail.  Wheel dogs - ones next to the brushbow, or metal bumper on a car, some of the hardest workers on the team, and should be the strongest.  They help to pull that sled or cart around the corners, besides the help of the steering wheel on the cart.  VERY Important:  the wheel dogs tuglines, should be longer than the tuglines on the rest of the gangline.  Reason:  they have a lot of weight bearing down on their rears, if the tugline is too short and too close to the "bridle" hook/latch.  Gives them a better protection when stopping; and your reflex time, to hit the brake on the cart; or the forked brake on the back of the sled.  But mainly protects their rears from spinal injury.

Next article and final article we will talk about modified equipment for use with the carts, or sleds.  And area's of safety to watch for; when doing training runs in the Fall and Winter and "your clothing".