Clean Run - May 2012 - 45

review

Rubberizing Contacts
By Brenna Fender The trend toward rubberizing contact obstacles is spreading across the country. “Old fashioned” paint-and-sand finished equipment is being replaced by obstacles covered in rubber granules or rubber matting. Rubber-coated contacts are touted as safer, offering better purchase for dogs traveling at high speed, although the rubber used is too thin to provide much cushioning for hard hits. Dogs seem to like rubberized contacts better as well. Lynn Broderick, who helps run Up and Over Dog Sports, a company that makes custom agility equipment in New York, says, “It is more comfortable for the dogs, without a doubt. I have had dogs in my classes that develop an aversion to the non-rubber contact equipment, and then, upon discovering the rubber surfaces, enthusiastically do them time after time after time! If they get concerned once they’re on it, it is easier for them to find a way off; many just turn around and go back down the way they came, without fear of losing slipping on rough, unforgiving wood.” Most agility organizations now allow clubs to use rubberized contacts. One exception is the United Kennel Club, which does not allow rubber on contacts at this time; a representative suggests that it may be allowed in the future. Other organizations allow some kinds of rubberized equipment but not others. Before making a big purchase, check with your favorite organizations to get the latest information on what is allowed.

How Do You Choose?
Isn’t moving from traditional contacts to rubberized ones expensive, messy, and time consuming? It can be. With several methods now available, how does a club determine what’s the best way to rubberize their contacts? Do you do it yourself from a kit, purchase a preformed skin and attach it, buy rubber-covered aluminum to replace your wood-and-sand obstacles, or completely replace your equipment with contacts that are already rubberized? What are your options?

Rubber Matting or Belting
Rubber matting or belting is applied to contact obstacles in long sheets that are affixed to the contacts with screws or glue. Unlike many forms of rubberizing, this method does not rely on rubber granules. Rubber matting is preferred by NADAC, which began using rubber contacts in 2003. While other suppliers are allowed if approved, NADAC recommends Shipp Belting Company, which sells their non-toxic rubber product under the name Dog Agility Matting (www.dogagilitymatting.com). This textured rubber matting weighs .06 lbs. per inch, which comes out to 19.44 lbs. for a 9' x 36" wide A-frame. The matting is easy to install because it comes cut down to fit for your obstacles and all you have to do is to attach it to the equipment.
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Concerns
One of the big concerns about rubberizing equipment is the weight that rubber adds to each contact. Depending on the method used and the size of the obstacle you are rubberizing, rubber can add anywhere from 5-70 lbs. to the equipment. But even if you’ve decided on one of the heavier types of rubber, there are variables that can affect weight. For example, perhaps you are removing slats that you won’t be reinstalling (slat requirements vary across sanctioning organizations), which decreases the potential obstacle weight. If you remove some of the wood from your obstacle and replace it with aluminum, you can make equipment even lighter. Expense is also a huge concern. In fact, one competitor told me, “If you aren’t with a club and you aren’t rich, you aren’t going to be able to rubberize your contacts.” But several companies offer do-it-yourself options for a fraction of the cost. If you get together with a group of people or clubs that want to rubberize, you can share any one-time costs that apply to your method, reducing the price per contact rubberized. Make sure you know what you are buying, though. Cutting corners may leave you unhappy with the final result.
May 12 | Clean Run

http://www.dogagilitymatting.com

Clean Run - May 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - May 2012