Logging with horses- An old tradition made new again!
By carolscash
@carolscash (9491)
United States
June 2, 2009 8:40pm CST
My husband and I are having some timber logged off of our property and found an awesome guy to do the work and haul the logs off. After he cuts the trees down, he brings in Belgian horses to pull the logs out of the woods with instead of using a skidder or dozer. It was so neat to watch today and it was a good lesson for the kids. It was nice to see someone doing something that used to be done a lot and is almost a lost art now. I believe that he has a great way of doing this and it made me glad to see that the horses were well behaved and were hard working.
It is not easy work, but it sure looked like it would be enjoyable even in the 90 degree weather that we were having.
Have you ever seen this done?
2 people like this
2 responses
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
3 Jun 09
I have seen this, but it's been a long time. I used to go to Michigan with my family when I was a little girl, and we would then go over to Wisconsin to my cousin's house. He was my mom's age, and on the way to his house was a huge forest and there would be horses out helping to clear the trees. I remember them being beautiful animals. Cliedsdales (Spelling?) I believe.
@carolscash (9491)
• United States
3 Jun 09
These were Belgian horses which are similar to Clydesdales but not the same. They are beautiful and I would love to have one. It is neat to watch them work. I am thrilled that you have got such memories as it seems to be a very much lost art as it is more work than using the skidders to do the work.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
3 Jun 09
I'm not sure what state you live in, but I lived in Pennsylvania for the past 3 years. It is not uncommon in parts of Pa. to see the big draft horses working in the fields, as there are still the Amish in Pa that use the draft horses for plowing. I have not seen them used in logging, but I have been through that part of Pa and have seen them being worked in the fields.
@carolscash (9491)
• United States
3 Jun 09
We live in Indiana and it is odd to see it where I live. I have seen the Amish use the horses in the fields but never like this. It was so interesting to watch the horses work as a team together and walk stp by step together.
