Why Skijoring Is Cruel to Horses and Dogs

Skijoring is a cruel and dangerous activity in which a skier forces a horse, dog, or pack of dogs to haul them by a rope. In typical skijoring competitions, a skier holds onto a rope attached to a horse while a rider forces the animal to sprint up to 40 mph down a snowy course. Horses and dogs don’t want to be exploited for “entertainment”—here’s what you need to know about skijoring and why it should never involve animals.

Why Skijoring With Horses Is Cruel

Horses are sensitive animals who easily become overwhelmed in loud, chaotic environments. Forcing them to gallop through snowy, unpredictable terrains surrounded by noisy crowds likely terrifies them.

Skijoring events put humans and our fellow animals at risk. In one alarming incident in Silverton, Colorado, a drone startled a horse, and they trampled three spectators.

Skijoring Can Injure or Kill Horses

Skijoring participants force horses to run on icy, uneven trails at high speeds. Horses have fallen, crashed, and suffered catastrophic injuries.

At a skijoring event in Minturn, Colorado, a horse named Pepper was euthanized after breaking his leg. Just a week later, in Leadville, Colorado, a horse named Logan was euthanized after crashing on the course and breaking his leg. The event organizer reportedly admitted that Logan was the third horse to die at that competition.

In Whitefish, Montana, a horse stumbled on the course and was later euthanized due to their injuries. These deaths are the result of a dangerous “sport” that pushes animals to their limits for human amusement.

Why Skijoring With Dogs Is Cruel

While skijoring competitions in the US and Canada typically use horses, some people use dogs for “recreational” skijoring. The dogs may suffer from exhaustion, injuries, and stress. The harsh, icy terrain can tear their sensitive paw pads. Like horses, dogs deserve companionship and care—not to be treated like ski equipment.

Skijoring vs. Dog Sledding: What’s the Difference?

Both activities exploit dogs for human entertainment. In dog sledding, mushers force dogs to haul heavy sleds through biting winds, treacherous terrain, and freezing temperatures. More than 150 dogs have died during the Iditarod alone—a race infamous for making dogs run about 100 miles a day while pulling sleds weighing hundreds of pounds through some of the harshest weather conditions on the planet.

Fun Things to Do Instead of Skijoring With Animals

There’s no reason to use horses, dogs, or any animal for skijoring—competitive or recreational. Many skijorers opt for snowmobiles; they’re faster, safer, and don’t harm anyone.

Help Horses and Dogs—Say No to Skijoring With Animals

Animals aren’t ski gear. If you know of a skijoring competition that uses horses, contact the organizer and ask them to use animal-free methods, such as snowmobiles. Don’t attend skijoring events, dog sledding races, horse races, or any other events that exploit animals for “entertainment.”

Click the button below to take action for horses:

Take action for dogs by helping PETA end the deadly Iditarod: