Horse Logging

123maxbars · December 11, 2021, 02:36:28 PM

I rarely post in this section on the forum but I had the chance this week to buy some White Oak logs from a local horse logger. He also let me spend the day filming him and his sons toil. Thought you all would enjoy.
Amazing Horse Power, Draft Horses Logging In The Virginia Mountains - YouTube

mike_belben · December 11, 2021, 03:40:14 PM

that was impressive what they could pull. i like the dozer fuel tank on the old truck. does that thing still drive job to job?

WDH · December 11, 2021, 04:03:42 PM

Just awesome. Loved the music in the first few minutes. Made me want to get my bass out.

Riwaka · December 11, 2021, 06:15:07 PM

Looks like the loader truck could do with a bit of an inframe, or is it an oil overfill? Though I have seen DPF regen failures produce larger billowing white clouds than that.

Firewoodjoe · December 11, 2021, 07:02:15 PM

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

123maxbars · December 11, 2021, 08:21:46 PM

I don't know much about that truck but he is able to move it from job to job. It is a 61 model that looks rough but keeps the log trucks loaded it seems.

moodnacreek · December 11, 2021, 08:44:29 PM

Always enjoy work horses. It is almost a treat for me to see someone who can 'run' a chainsaw, that is fell, limb and buck sawlogs. Most logs I see are butchered up and I gave up trying to show others how to do better. Is that B model the epa version?

SwampDonkey · December 12, 2021, 05:34:41 AM

Great video of the horses working, nice weather to.

I like the buggy with the seat. Never seen that setup before, but great idea, hang on. ;)

I've been around work horses for the first 30 years of my life and have seen some well trained horses over the years.

As far as loader equipment, I bet it's paid for and it works, probably no complaints. ;D
Dad ran some old tater trucks at the 'farm only' here that were over 40 years old, but not highway worthy. But got the seed to the fields and the taters to the barn on rural roads that themselves (roads) were barely road worthy. :D

47sawdust · December 12, 2021, 06:34:28 AM

All around great video. Nice team of Suffolks,well trained with a skilled teamster.
The logging forecart is a well made design.
We could all use a log loader like that.
Thanks for posting, beautiful country.

Woodfarmer · December 12, 2021, 07:14:27 AM

It's a dying art around here, I don't think there are any left that do it.

customsawyer · December 12, 2021, 08:03:37 AM

Great video as always.

thecfarm · December 12, 2021, 09:26:44 AM

Them critters back up good. Quiet way to get the wood out.

47sawdust · December 12, 2021, 11:49:06 AM

No backup alarm either.

Old Greenhorn · December 12, 2021, 12:31:01 PM

You know one of the things I noticed in this enjoyable video was that the choker man was pretty nimble on his feet and quick to find a tree to protect him. I recall seeing that and thinking "Yeah, clearly not his first rodeo, he knows what those horses can do." :D

47sawdust · December 12, 2021, 12:36:20 PM

Being nimble is very key when working with horses.That is why using the cart to skid with is so much safer than ground driving.
That family works well together.

Jeff · December 12, 2021, 01:58:29 PM

DanG Nathon! I've watched a lot of your videos and this one is one of the most beautiful videos I've seen. Of all channels I watch in a very long time. Wonderful job. 2 views are already mine.

thecfarm · December 12, 2021, 02:00:06 PM

Things can happen no matter what.
I was the chocker man when my Father was driving the tractor. I was nimble too. ;)

SwampDonkey · December 12, 2021, 04:28:47 PM

@thecfarm those old timers liked to drive'r to didn't they. Like the day after Christmas you was cut'n wood or stacking taters. Not watching cartoons or video games. :D :D

samandothers · December 13, 2021, 10:00:57 AM

Great video! Looks like it could have been a tad windy. Thanks for taking the time to make and share this.

Andries · December 13, 2021, 12:22:25 PM

Nathan, thank you. Great video.
It put my wife to sleep but I've watched it more than a few times. 😏
No idle chatter, great editing, the music had Danny tapping his toes and a big well done!

Rick Alger · December 15, 2021, 06:41:52 AM

Thanks. That was an excellent video.

AndyVT · December 18, 2021, 04:02:08 PM

After we cut the logs for our future home, we hired a local horse logger to skid them to our house site.
He used a lone gelding to move single logs to a central area and then hooked his cart and team of 2 stallions to skid the logs the 1/4 mile to the site.
It was a mild late winter and the snow was soft so it was a work out for the team but they pulled their hearts out to get the fifty 20-28 ft long, 12-16 inch pine logs moved.
He worked over the course of 2 days so as not to overwork his team.

Kodiakmac · December 19, 2021, 09:02:56 AM

Thanks muchly for posting this ... put a bit of a lump in my throat. My Dad and my uncle logged with horses (Clydes) back in the fifties and sixties when we were kids. We would be with them on Saturdays and over the Christmas Holidays. I remember when our hands got cold in our wet mitts we would walk up beside the team and shove our cold fingers up in the horses' armpits (leg pits?). They were truly gentle giants.

Rhodemont · December 20, 2021, 10:56:20 AM

I use one of our Cheval Canadians for some logging a few times in the snow each winter. I do not have him pull big saw logs. Firewood 10 or 12 inch tops are pretty easy for him to move. I put hay down where I want the logs. When we get out on the main trails I let him go and tell him to go home. He
heads for the hay and eats while I unhitch.