Animal Sports – Some Weird, Some Well-known

Sports are very fun and very healthy to be practiced. But besides sports for human, animal sports are very fun too!

Animals participate in many sports, some being legal and some being not so legal. Some of the sports that animals participate in include horse racing, bullfighting, dog sledding, cock fighting, pigeon racing, and greyhound racing just to name a few. There are also the famous dog shows where dogs compete in classes by breed; some believe this to be a sport while others feel it is more of a competition.

Bullfighting has been around since the prehistoric days, and is a very popular animal sport in Spain, where it is viewed as a dramatic ritual between the bull and the matador. Besides Spain, bullfighting is also popular in Portugal, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, France, and is also quite popular in the state of California. Out of all of the bullrings in the world, Mexico City is home to the largest one of them all, which seats 55,000 spectators.

Dogsledding became an organized animal sport in Alaska in 1908, and has been increasing in popularity ever since. In dog sledding, a team of dogs pulls a sled that carries the driver, who is sometimes referred to as the “musher.” There are different types of dog sled races, but the teams of dogs are made up of three, six or twelve dogs. Some races are short and are considered to be sprint races, while others are considered long-range races and can cover a course consisting of 200 to 1000 miles.

As with many animal sports, there are those who believe that cock fighting should be banned due to animal cruelty. However, in some cultures cock fighting is legal and draws huge crowds, such as in Guam, Peru, Belgium, Italy, Haiti, Spain, France, Mexico, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, and the Phillipines, which have arenas built especially for cock fighting. The game birds that are used in cock fighting are not ordinary farm chickens, they are a special breed of aggressive chicken that is raised and trained to be fighters. While cock fighting may be an accepted animal sport in some countries, there are numerous places where cock fighting, and even just attending a cockfight as a spectator, is considered a felony. Many of these laws have been enacted due not only to animal cruelty issues, but also because of the gambling that is associated with cock fighting.

Pigeon racing is another animal sport that has quite a fan base. Across the United States there are over 700 different clubs catering to those who enjoy the sport of pigeon racing. Essentially, during a race, the birds are released from a location that is far from there home, and the first pigeon to make it back is the winner. The races cover much territory, and races can have the pigeons flying 100 to 600 miles as they make their way home.

There are also animal sports that are less known about like those that occur at county fairs; frog jumping contests, pig races, turtle races and the like can all be considered animal sports as they have a number of animal participants competing against one another.

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An Introduction To Trampolines - recreational, and competitive

Trampolines are a fun way to keep fit, and can be used to improve your health through cardiovascular exercise. They are used for a wide range of athletic and recreational purposes.

Trampolines are used by children and adults alike, and are very popular. The benefits of owning one are endless.

The two types of trampolines are recreational, and competitive. Recreational trampolines aren't constructed as sturdily as competitive trampolines, and their springs aren't as strong. Recreational trampolines come in both outdoor as well as indoor varieties, and are available in various shapes and sizes.

The most common shapes are round, square, and rectangular. Generally, round trampolines are ideal for fun and recreational use, while the rectangular trampolines are best for serious bouncers.

While trampolines are a lot of fun, they can also be unsafe, and the majority of trampoline-related injuries happen on home trampolines. Therefore children or adults should never attempt to perform stunts or tricks without taking proper training first.
Some of the following tips will help to avoid accidents:

• It is best to allow only one person on the trampoline at a time. This ensures there are no collisions or users being bounced in an unexpected direction.

• Make sure you use quality safety pads to cover the spring and the frame of the trampoline. This will prevent severe impact injuries.

• Use crash mats on the areas around the trampoline to help break the fall of anyone who may bounce off onto the ground.

• For maximum safety, purchase a safety net to prevent users from bouncing off the edge of the trampoline. These nets are well worth the investment

When purchasing a trampoline look out for the safety features. Be sure to check the quality of the springs, frames, and jumping mats. Always buy top quality frame pads for the best protection.

If you are purchasing an outdoor trampoline, look for one that is designed to be left outside all year round. The frame should be made of heavy duty galvanized steel to protect it from the weather. This way, your investment will last for many years to come.

At the end of the day you get what you pay for, therefore budget trampolines are of lower quality, hence the price.

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5 Fun Watersports You Can Enjoy On Your Next Lake Vacation

Lake vacations offer numerous activities for those who have a passion for water fun. From merely lounging around on the shores to enjoying serious water sports, lake vacations are not for the water shy.

Of course, the most obvious of water sporting enjoyments is swimming. Many lakes offer competitive swimming events for those who appreciate the benefits of swimming. Most lakes also offer boating and sailing packages. Look into daily sailboat and/or powerboat rentals and spend the afternoon on the water, or haul your own boat to the vacation location. Some lakes even offer paddle boating rentals for those who enjoy a slower pace. And, more and more locations are adding canoeing, kayaking, and even jet skis to their equipment rentals.

Large and small lakes appeal to the fisherman in many vacation seekers. Smaller lakes entice the early morning fisherman out onto the water to enjoy the peace and solitude of waiting for that fish to bite. Larger lakes offer fishing boat rentals for the enjoyment of a pair of fisherman who enjoy the competitiveness of the sport and some larger lakes offer guided fishing charters for both small and large groups.

Many lakes also offer water ski, wakeboard, wakeskates, and wake surfboard activities. Included in these activities is personal instruction for the novice skier and equipment rental for all ages and skill levels. And for the high-flying adventurer, the lake vacation also offers parasailing. From equipment rental to guided instruction, lakes are adding parasailing to their water activities to provide complete water fun packages for all ages. Lake vacations are great locations for all varieties of water fun and activities. Take advantage of a lazy day on a rowboat or a soaring parasailing adventure or even skimming the water with a fast-paced and energetic ski outing. There is something for everyone on a lake vacation.

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5 Places To Go Camping In Montana

Montana is known as one of the best places to camp. The land is full of wide open areas with plenty of wildlife and beautiful areas to explore. There are plenty of camping options to choose from.

Salmon Camp is a state park that allows visitors to camp overnight. This is a great facility for those who enjoy being outdoors but love the comforts of a hot shower as well. There are plenty of marked trails for a day of hiking. There are specified water areas for fishing and swimming, and boating docks.

The most popular camping location in all of Montana is located in Fort Smith, called Bighorn Canyon. This area offers miles of open land to camp on in your tent, RV, or you can rent a beautiful cabin. There is plenty of wildlife to observe as well as some of the biggest fish swimming in the waters there.

If you plan to camp with children consider Jellystone Park in Missoula, home of Yogi the bear himself! There is plenty of area for hiking, fishing, hunting, and exploring. There is also a ghost town with mines only a few minutes away. There are also games, crafts, and activities for children of all ages to enjoy.

Yellowstone Park is a National Park that offers camping, horseback riding, wildlife observation, and beautiful scenery. You can choose to go hiking on the various trails by foot or rent a horse to ride for the day.

Another wonderful National Park to visit in Montana is Gallatin. This National Park is located in the Western Park of Montana. Plenty of large wildlife roam the area here. You will love camping in the open spaces and listen to the different animals throughout your explorations.

Montana is the place to be if you enjoy camping. There are so many different areas to choose from. You can pick one based on location, the terrain, the wildlife, or the camping accommodations. Regardless of where you choose to camp in Montana, I am sure you will have a great time relaxing in the great outdoors.

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