Reindeer team: description, riding technique, commands for deer

Residents of the Far North do not represent their lives without deer. These stately and hardy animals accompany a man for more than two thousand years. They provide the northern peoples with food (milk and meat), shelter (skins), medicines (panties) and the ability to travel long distances along the snow-covered tundra. Reindeer team is the most ancient and widespread way of movement among different peoples of the Far North. An uninitiated person may seem to manage the deer rather easily, but in fact, the inhabitants of the tundra learn this from childhood, and not everyone can become a skilled rider. It is known that our Russian wizard Santa Claus on reindeer moves around his residence quite skillfully, and also invites everyone to master this difficult art. What do you need to know for this?

The meaning of deer for the peoples of the Far North

The reindeer is a very beautiful and powerful animal, some species of the owner of the tundra (as it is called) are on the verge of extinction. And others completely disappeared from the face of the planet thanks to the thoughtless activity of man. But many of them over the centuries continue to fulfill their mission, helping a person survive in the tundra.

In Soviet times, the party government decided to make serious changes in the life of the Far North. According to the adopted resolution, it was planned to transplant all local residents to ATVs specially designed by the design bureau. And the reindeer team had to turn into something for children and visitors. But the reality was far from plans and calculations - in severe conditions the technique was constantly breaking down, and did not always cope with the movement along the snow-covered terrain. But deer have never let people down, that's why they continue to live side by side with them, overcoming all the difficulties of nomadic life.

Deer is a fairy-tale hero of the Far North

The inhabitants of the northern regions know many fairy tales and legends, where the main characters are deer. In some nations, they are even considered totemic animals, and many nationalities even consider themselves to be their descendants.

All this testifies to the extent to which these hardy animals are treated with great care in the north. They bring a fairy tale to European kids. Indeed, according to legend, it is on deer that Santa Claus carries his gifts. These fabulous animals are the fastest in the world. They are able for a fraction of seconds to overcome distances of several thousand kilometers. Of course, real animals are not so fast, but still a reindeer team is, undoubtedly, the most comfortable and convenient way to travel around the tundra at any time of the year.

Deer Mountains: description

A reindeer team has several varieties. The nomads try to select the reindeer depending on the nature of the animal and the future trip. Not every deer is suitable for harness, especially the quick and snooty the northern people use for car driving.

In order to pull sleds or sledge, fit strong and calm animals. They must be hardy, obedient and trustful. Usually, for this purpose, castrated males are used. Otherwise, they will constantly start quarreling among their fellow tribesmen and will not allow the driver to relax for a minute. Not very good in harness deer, which are a cross between wild animals. They are not easy to learn and extremely stubborn.

Ideal driving deer should not be tired, distracted by extraneous objects and sounds, and also display an uneasy nature. Only such an animal will become a faithful companion of man during long journeys along the tundra.

Training of young deer

Every inhabitant of the Far North can deal with deer, sometimes his life depends on it, as well as the well-being of the family. Therefore, any man and woman are able to tame and train a deer.

First of all, the animal should get used to leather or rope lasso. Thanks to them deer are accustomed to coming to a certain sound. As an incentive is salt, it is the most favorite treat for animals.

After deer get used to various sound combinations, they should stop being afraid of harness. They are tied daily to empty sledges and left for several hours. Gradually, the task becomes more complicated - the load is placed on the sledge, and the animal is driven in a straight line. The next stage of training is harnessing the sledge with the animal, which is already well trained and understands the team perfectly. The first time the deer move in a straight line, then learn to turn and overcome obstacles.

Additional stage of training

Completely finished training is considered after the deer get used to the pack saddle. To this end, they put a saddle on their back, and then gradually load it with various bags. This function allows you to unharness the animals at the right moments and continue the movement, using pack saddles.

Reindeer riding methods

It is known that different northern peoples have their own peculiarities of controlling deer and driving them. For example, the Nenets and Komi use mostly light sleds. They harness from three to six deer. These teams are run from the left side. But the Evens and Koryaks prefer to harness no more than three deer run on the right side. For this purpose a special pole is used. It has a different length, but Koryak, for example, prefer a tool, the length of which does not exceed four meters.

Riding on reindeer teams in the Chukchi presupposes a special harness system, in which each animal is attached to sleds by separate leather belts. Usually control is done with the help of chorea and reins. Most often, both tools are used simultaneously.

Narts: a brief description of sledges

Since the life of northern peoples is associated with constant movement, they can not do without narts. According to historians, they were invented almost two thousand years ago, and since then their design has changed little.

Narts are made in two types:

• Cars;
• Freight.

The passenger sleds are approximately two and a half meters in size. They are made from thin poles, which are joined together by leather straps. Razors are often bent, in the rear part of the sledge are attached scrapes on which the seats were built. Often it was supplemented by a back. Women's sledges always make a little longer than men's, because they are also moved by children. In addition, these sledges are made slightly lower than men's.

Cargo sledges are made stronger and cumbersome. They are treated less carefully, but are able to take a load of up to four hundred kilograms. Such devices are transported from one camp to another dwellings in disassembled form, home belongings and small children. For them, they arrange on the sleds a sort of tent covered with furskins.

Management of reindeer team

We have already specified that to interact with deer children in the Far North is taught almost from infancy. Therefore, all the wisdom of managing the harness they absorb as well as possible. Surprisingly, the deer team can reach speeds of up to forty kilometers per hour. This is comparable to riding a snowmobile, although not so exciting. Usually reindeers pull sleds at a speed of ten kilometers per hour, this is considered an average operating indicator.

Deer can be managed in two ways:

• Voice;
• Horei and reins.

Each reindeer breeder has its own set of voice commands for managing the harness. They cry out very loudly and clearly, otherwise the animal just will not hear. More precisely, he does not want to hear, because in fact deer have very thin hearing and smell. If you are reindeer from scratch, then you can develop your own set of commands that will help you manage.

Most of the commands are fed to deer using long trochee. The driver works with the leading animal, and all the others follow him. In order for the deer to add a move, the animal in front starts patting the tip of the chorea on the back. To turn, you need to touch one or another side of the animal, and the stop occurs after the reindeer-breed pulls the reins on himself. By the way, this is the most beloved team of northern animals. In addition, they independently stop every ten kilometers to get rid of the need. Many nomads thus even count the kilometers traveled.

Riding a reindeer harness brings incredibly positive emotions to children and adults. Therefore, if you have such a chance, do not miss it. Such feelings you can not experience anywhere else. On the territory of our country there are several deer farms, but the largest of them contains Santa Claus. On reindeer you can ride, visiting his Ural residence. Therefore, with the onset of winter, make sure to plan such a trip - you will not be able to make a better gift to yourself and your relatives.