|
Now ferrets only do what ferrets want to do,
so ferret racing is something a little bit different from most races. Ferrets have a natural instinct to run along tunnels so a ferret race gives them a pipe “tunnel” to run through. That’s the plan. However, ferrets are also naturally playful creatures and so like to do things their own way.
Several tunnels of equal length are set up and the ferrets are encouraged to enter at the start and run along the tunnel to the end. The first one to exit to the very tip of its tail is the winner. Of course it’s seldom that simple. The agile little animals are quite capable of reversing in the tunnel and while the trainer is running to the finish shouting words of encouragement, his prized competitor may be heading equally fast in the opposite direction, heading for the end where it started. That’s when you find out who runs faster, man or beast. Or they may decide to curl up in the middle for a siesta. Or another favourite trick is to reach the finish line 10m ahead of the rest and stick out a little head, then wait until the rest arrive and finish, before finally completing its own appearance.
The ferrets appearing at Auckley Show will be there courtesy of “Axholme Ferrets”. Axholme Ferrets consists of a small group of ferret fanciers based mostly in the Isle of Axholme area. The group keep ferrets as pets but also work the ferrets to catch rabbits. On display will a variety of these interesting, playful and friendly creatures and information about them, about using ferrets to catch rabbits and also other traditional methods of rabbit control. On hand to chat and answer ferret or rabbit control questions will be very experienced ferret keepers and rabbit controllers.
|
