Lure Coursing

Some Coursing Basics. There is nothing quite like watching three sighthounds, called a Stake, intent on a white plastic bag (the lure) zipping around a large open field. It turns and doubles back on itself and changes speed - appearing to dance across the fields like a crazed rabbit. The lure is run on cords on the ground and is moved by means of an automobile motor. Someone called the Lure Operator stands on a ladder or car-top for good visibility and holds a controller that stops, starts and slows the speed of the lure. The operator's job is make sure the lure stays ahead of the hounds, not too far and not too close. It takes a skilled operator to run a safe course. A lure can travel across the ground at up to 40 miles per hour. Dogs who find it an exciting game jump and down and sometimes cry and bark to be able to chase it. When they are brought up to the line by their handlers - the tension is obvious. At the call of "Tally-ho!" by the hunt master, the handlers release the dogs. The take off like a shot. A really good run by dogs that are intent on the lure is a very exciting thing to watch. As a competition the dogs are scored on how they follow the lure, their speed and turning ability. There are two organizations that run events and award championship points - ASFA (American Sighthound Field Association) and the AKC. See the history of coursing below for more information on that. The course is set up so that the hounds come back to the starting line-up and their handlers. The operator turns off the motor and the dogs are retrieved. Usually the course is run twice. The second time reversing the direction that the lure travels. And you go home with tired, but happy Irish Wolfhounds.
Releasing the hounds at a lure coursing trial
History of Lure Coursing by Traci Hilbert Although humans have used dogs for hunting for as long as recorded history exists (and evidence supports their use way before then), coursing events as we know them today were developed by open field coursing enthusiasts (National Open Field Coursing Association) in the west and southwestern USA during the 60s and 70s. When faced with the facts that only a handful of states allowed pursuit of live game with dogs, and that urban encroachment and the limited supply of wild game would soon limit their sport, they searched for a suitable alternative. After some trial and error, they developed an artificial lure that would enable them to set up an imitation hunt that their dogs could enjoy without risking their safety (there are few wild animals, little rough terrain, and no barbed-wire fencing hazards on the modern day coursing field). They started with the idea of attaching a lure to a piece of moving string, and quickly adjusted the process to use a continual loop around pulleys driven with a motor. The American Sighthound Field Association was formed in 1972. Some of the first lure coursing trials were held by the ASFA and were open to Afghans, Borzoi, Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, and Whippets. The eligible breeds were expanded to include Basenjis, Ibizan Hounds, Pharoh Hounds, and finally Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The American Kennel Club accepted lure coursing under its Performance Events Department in 1991, and both groups continue to sanction meets and trials today.
Typical Lure Coursing Equipment
Here is a typical slip lead. One end of the black strap is curled around the ring and doubled back - held firmly in place - to be released at the instant of the call "Tally-Ho!" by the hunt master. The collar needs to be off the dog just as they start to run. As you can see in the top photo, the dogs are excited and move fast. It is helpful to not get the handler's fingers broken during this procedure!	Here is one position for holding the slip lead. Notice the loop is around the handler's wrist. When the right hand releases the strap - it slides through the ring - and the collar drops off & is left dangling from the handler's wrist and out of the way.
Here is a hound modeling a coursing "blanket". There are three colors used when coursing so the judges can tell which dog they are looking at from a distance. They are either blue, pink or yellow.	Here is the type of collar for coursing called a slip lead, which is worn only to control the hound prior to "release". The collar drops away as the hounds are released to chase the lure and they run without anything around their necks which could be dangerous.

Some Coursing Basics.

History of Lure Coursing by Traci Hilbert

Typical Lure Coursing Equipment