Logging with older horses

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  • July 17, 2010 at 7:47 pm #41830
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I have a 12 and 14 yr. old team of Belgians that I primarily log with as well as do some environmental clean up and farming. I know at these ages they still have several years of work left in them. Throughout my life I have seen many teams still working and being productive, in the woods, into their twenties. They certainly are not asked to pull the heaviest loads, but just the same, still do an admirable days work.
    I feel with the proper diets, vet care, consistent conditioning throughout the year and a skilled teamster working a horse in the woods into its twenties is acceptable.
    Though I have never posted anything on this forum before, I have read and followed it for a couple of years and have come to greatly respect many of the regular contributors. I welcome any thoughts especially from some of the regular horse loggers.

    July 18, 2010 at 4:48 am #61326
    Carl Russell
    Moderator

    Jim, I agree entirely. Two years ago I buried a mare that was nearly thirty. I bought her in 1987, when she was between 6-11 years old. I worked her in the woods regularly, up to 2 months before I put her down. She was a very easy keeper and always had a lot of energy, so even working with a 5-6 year old mare she was still a producer.

    I have been working a younger team now, both 9, and it is clear to me now why woods teams should be younger, but it is hard not to work an old horse who knows the rope, and whom the teamster knows like the back of his hand.

    Carl

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