Inhabitants of the Far North cannot imagine their life without deer. These stately and hardy animals have been accompanying man for more than two thousand years. They provide northern peoples with food (milk and meat), shelter (skins), medicines (antlers) and the ability to travel long distances across the snowy tundra. Reindeer team is the most ancient and widespread way of transportation among different peoples of the Far North. It may seem to an uninitiated person that it is quite easy to manage reindeer, but in fact, the inhabitants of the tundra learn this almost from childhood, and not everyone can become a skilled rider. It is known that our Russian magician Santa Claus on deer moves around his residence quite skillfully, and also invites everyone to master this difficult art. What do you need to know for this?
The significance of reindeer for the peoples of the Far North
Reindeer is a very beautiful and powerful animal, somespecies of the tundra host (as it is called) are on the verge of extinction. And others have completely disappeared from the face of the planet due to thoughtless human activity. But many of them continue to fulfill their mission for centuries, helping people 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 transfer all local residents to all-terrain vehicles specially designed by the design bureau. And the reindeer team was supposed to turn into something designed to entertain children and visitors. But the reality turned out to be far from plans and calculations - in harsh conditions, equipment constantly broke down, and did not always cope with movement in snowy areas. But deer have never let people down, and therefore continue to live next to them, together overcoming all the difficulties of nomadic life.
Deer - fairy-tale hero of the Far North
Inhabitants of the northern regions know many fairy tales and legends, where the main characters are deer. Some peoples even consider them totem animals, and many peoples even consider themselves their descendants.
All this testifies to how reverently they treat these hardy animals in the north. They bring a fairy tale to European children. After all, according to legend, it is on deer that Santa Claus delivers his gifts. These fabulous animals are the fastest in the world. They are capable of covering distances of several thousand kilometers in a split second. Of course, real animals are not so fast, but still a reindeer team is undoubtedly the most comfortable and convenient way to move around the tundra at any time of the year.
Sledding deer: description
Reindeer team has several varieties. Nomads try to select riding deer depending on the nature of the animal and the future trip. Not every deer is suitable for harness, especially the frisky and cocky northern peoples use for light riding.
Strong and calm animals are suitable for pulling sleds or sleds. They must be hardy, obedient and trusting. Usually castrated males are used for this purpose. Otherwise, they will constantly start quarrels among their fellow tribesmen and will not let the driver relax for a minute. Deer, which are a cross between wild individuals, are not particularly good at harnessing. They are difficult to train and extremely stubborn.
Ideal riding deer should not get tired, be distracted by foreign objects and sounds, and also show a quarrelsome character. Only such an animal will become a faithful companion of a person during long journeys across the tundra.
Training young deer
Every resident of the Far North knows how to handle deer, sometimes his life depends on it, as well as the well-being of his family. Therefore, any man and woman can tame and train a deer.
First of all, the animal must get used to the leather or rope lasso. Thanks to them, deer are trained to come tocertain sound. S alt serves as a reward and is the pet's favorite treat.
After the reindeer get used to different sound combinations, they should stop being afraid of the harness. They are daily tied to empty sleds and left for several hours. Gradually, the task becomes more difficult - a load is placed on the sled, and the animal is driven in a straight line. The next stage of training is harnessing to the sled with an animal that is already well trained and understands commands perfectly. At first, deer move in a straight line, then they learn to turn and overcome obstacles.
Additional learning stage
Completely completed 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 time and continue moving using pack saddles.
Ways to ride reindeer
It is known that different northern peoples have their own characteristics of reindeer management and riding. For example, the Nenets and Komi mainly use light sleds. They harness from three to six deer. These teams are driven from the left side. But the Evens and Koryaks prefer to harness no more than three deer, which are controlled from the right side. For this purpose, a special pole is used - the polecat. It has different lengths, but the Koryaks, for example, prefer an instrument whose length does not exceed four meters.
Riding on reindeer sleds among the Chukchi involves a special harness system, in whicheach animal is attached to the sled with separate leather straps. Usually management occurs with the help of a chorea and reins. Most often, both tools are used simultaneously.
Sleds: a brief description of the sleigh
Since the life of the northern peoples is associated with constant movement, they can not do without sleds. According to historians, they were invented almost two thousand years ago, and since then their design has changed little.
Sleds are made in two types:
- cars;
- cargo.
Light sleds measure approximately two and a half meters. They are made of thin poles, which are tied together with leather straps. The runners are most often bent, in the back of the sleigh spears are attached, on which the seats were built. Often it was supplemented with a back. Women's sledges are always made a little longer than men's, because children also move on them. In addition, these sleds are made a little lower than men's.
Cargo sledges are made stronger and more bulky. They are processed less carefully, but are able to take a load of up to four hundred kilograms. On such devices, disassembled dwellings, home belongings and small children are transported from one camp to another. For them, a kind of tent covered with fur skins is arranged on sleds.
Reindeer team management
We have already specified that children in the Far North are taught to interact with deer almost from infancy. Therefore, all the wisdom of team managementthey absorb very well. Surprisingly, a reindeer team can reach speeds of up to forty kilometers per hour. It is comparable to riding a snowmobile, although not as exciting. Usually the reindeer pull the sled at a speed of ten kilometers per hour, which is considered an average work rate.
Reindeer can be controlled in two ways:
- voice;
- trochee and reins.
Each reindeer herder has his own set of voice commands to control the team. They shout out very loudly and clearly, otherwise the animal simply will not hear. More precisely, he will not want to hear, because in fact deer have a very subtle hearing and sense of smell. If you are raising reindeer from scratch, you may well develop your own set of commands to help you manage.
Most of the commands are given to deer with the help of a long trochee. The driver works it with the leading animal, and all the others are already following him. In order for the deer to increase their speed, the animal in front begins to pat on the back with the tip of the trochaic. To turn, it is necessary to touch one or another side of the animal, and the stop occurs after the reindeer herder pulls the reins on himself. By the way, this is the most favorite team of northern animals. In addition, they independently stop every ten kilometers to relieve themselves. Many nomads even count the distance traveled in this way.
Riding on a reindeer sled brings incredibly positive emotions to children and adults. Therefore, if you have such a chance, then do notmiss it. You will not be able to experience such sensations anywhere else. On the territory of our country there are several deer farms, but the largest of them is run by Santa Claus. You can ride reindeer by visiting his Ural residence. Therefore, with the onset of winter, be sure to plan such a trip - you cannot make a better gift for yourself and your loved ones.
