ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO) — The recent stretch of unseasonably warm weather has been welcome for many. But for dog mushers who often rely on snow for their sport, Mother Nature certainly has not cooperated.
Toasty temperatures also caused events like a snow sculpting exhibition to be canceled from Rockton’s “Yeti Fest. ” However, Jason Hussong and his High Flying Huskies used the snowless Saturday morning to introduce festgoers to a different style of mushing.
“What we’re demonstrating today is what’s called dry land mushing. Which is popular the further south you go.” said Hussong, a certified dog trainer with Doggy Development Academy in Machesney Park. “It’s very similar to the type of hitching you would see on a snow sled when you do have snow, but instead you’re running on a wheel car. In this case, mine is a three wheeled cart similar to a bicycle type of setup.”
Hussong says demonstrations with the High Flying Huskies Dog Sled Team are a way to introduce spectators to a sport not widely seen in the area.