Preparing Your Load for the Freight Haul

A very important part of the Draft Dog test is preparing your load and stabilizing it in your cart. Not only is it essential to have a well trained dog who is steady to hitch, load and haul, it is also important that you know how to properly prepare and load your cart.

A properly loaded cart is imperative: it must be balanced to avoid undue stress on your dog and it must be secure so that nothing falls from the cart.

Types of Loads

When you get to a draft test you will have no idea what the load will be.  Many clubs are getting very creative with their loads so you must be ready to haul anything.

A very common load is fire wood.  However, saddles, pumpkins, ladders and trees are some of the other things that participants have had to haul.

Weight

For your Draft Dog title your dog will have to haul a load of 40lbs.  For Draft Dog Excellence the load will be between 40 and 60lbs.  For Brace Draft Dog the load is 80lbs.  Make sure your dog is fit and comfortable carrying at least 40lbs for your Draft Dog title.

Type of Cart

Your type of cart will define how you prepare your load.  A parade cart with a seat will have to be loaded very differently from a flat bed cart and a crate cart will be different as well.

Securing Your Load

When you are getting ready for your test make sure to bring lots of different things to help secure your load.  You won't know what your load is going to be so bring anything and everything you can think of.  Its better to bring lots and not use it then to be stuck without something.

Somethings that are very handy are:

Laundry Baskets:  Very handy for turning a parade cart into a freight-hauling cart.  You can attach the basket to your cart and then fill it with your load.  You can also use a laundry basket to place over your load to secure it on a flat-bed cart.

Bungee Cords: The Draft Dogger's new best friend!  Bungee cords are extremely versatile for securing your load to your cart.  Make sure you bring a variety of lengths and more than you think you will need.

Bungee Net:  Like 10 Bungee cords in one!  Very versatile and great for securing loads.

Tarpaulins: Tarps are great to wrap your load in before you secure it to your cart: wrap you fire wood tightly in your tarp and then secure it - this will make your load even more stable on your cart and prevent small pieces from all off.  You can also use tarps to cover your load when it is on your cart: cover that bushel of apples so none fall out over bumpy terrain.

Non-Slip Mats:  Non-slip mats for under carpets or in drawers are great to line a flat-bed cart with to prevent your load from sliding back and forth while the cart is in motion.

Remember to have everything out for your equipment check at the beginning of the test.  If the judges do not see something at this point in the test you will not be able to use it later.

Practice Loading

Make sure that you practice loading as many different things as you can before your test.  Know your cart well!  Know where to place the heaviest part of your load to balance your cart properly.  Know where the best place is to attach bungee cords is.

Security vs. Time

At a draft test you will be able to practice loading your cart before you and your dog are tested.  This will be the time when you decide which materials you will need to secure your load and how to best balance it.

A very important thing to remember is time: your dog will have to stand still, without sitting, while you load and secure your freight.  The longer you take to load the more time your dog has to walk away, sit, get startled by a noise, or do something else that could cause you to fail.  Although you want to take time to make sure your load is secure and balanced you do not want to take too long doing so.  Try not to over-do it with bungee cords and covers; not only will your dog have to stand while you load, they will also have to stand while you unload.

Carrying Your Equipment

During the freight-haul portion of the test you must carry all the loading materials you will need, either on you or by cart, to the  loading area of the test.  If anything falls from the cart or from you, you will fail.  Make sure you wear clothing with lots of deep pockets to hold extra bungee cords. Also make sure your non-slip mats, tarps, bungees or anything you are bringing are secure on you cart before you begin the freight haul portion of the test.