[Carl Russell]

bivol;8262 wrote:

“sustainable homestead“, with exchange of experiences and knowledge in every aspect of sustainable homestead life. building homes, and farm buildings, recepies for conserving food,

“natural architecture” could help. the idea should be to cover building techniques using natural materials, such as adobe, hay, cob, wood.

“livestock“. the thread should cover experiences, ideas, and advices in keeping various livestock in small scale sustainable way.
livestock should include all the domestic animals kept for all purposes other than work.

Sorry to take so long to respond to this. I like the ideas, but wonder if I should create a new Category for them and treat them each as a forum, lump them all together, or include them under Sustainable Farming as sub-fori (forums).

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Yep, will do.

[Carl Russell]

Tayook, in my opinion among the many options for logging arches, the type that is pictured here is by far the most functional and well designed. It is very light, I can move it around, and maneuverable. The way it is designed, you can interchange a pole or shafts with ease any time you wish. Although most of the models mentioned by others effectively lift large logs off of the ground, they also require that the teamster climb, and then ride quite high off the ground as well. The results of these designs, while increasing the lift on the log, actually place the draft so high that they compromise the draft of the horse, put the driver in a potentially unsafe location (hard to get off), and teamsters often end up driving the hitch while walking beside the arch, which is dangerous also.

This design was created by Les Barden of Farmington NH. He will gladly send you complete and accurate blue prints as well. The teamster can get on and off of the arch with ease, and can ride standing for balance on rough terrain, or seated. There is a tool box in front of the teamster for chainsaw and fuel. I built a tool box under the seat where I keep my choker puller, hard hat, tool pouch, extra chain, wedges, and kitchen sink… There is also a convenient place to carry a peavey.

I have used this cart with one horse, and with a team of horses, and a team of oxen, and have skidded as much as two full length pine trees that scaled a total of 500 bdft when all the logs were cut. I don’t mean to “Dis” any other designs, I just know that this is the best design to incorporate increased functionality, safety, and convenience for working in the woods with draft animals.

[Carl Russell]

I think I also mentioned that I don’t use my contract to represent any legal or liability protection, but more as a tool to spell out the conditions and to determine for myself whether this person is capable of working with me.

I also put up “caution logging” signs on any snowmobile/ski trails and 4th class roads. I also have an equine liability sign on my barn because I have people visiting for educational purposes all the time. I work by myself, keep myself healthy in mind and body, and up-to-date on the necessary skills.

These are no replacement for liability insurance if it is needed, but I have made a practice of evaluating the risks as part of my regular operating procedure. The fact of the matter is that insurance will not improve the work you do, nor will it prevent those terrible things from happening, anymore than a license or certificate will make legalize the activities of a crook.

I make no judgments about the choices others make based on their evaluation of these risks, I just decided over twenty years ago that I was going to live and operate by the honest human values that were taught to me by the genuine people who lived and worked in my community when I was a kid, and I wasn’t going to waste money paying “lightening rod men” to make my life safe from tragedy.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

I would just follow up on some points made earlier. What you are seeing is probably a whole series of horse behavior. Some people may be able tell you “what they are trying to tell you”, but my approach is that if the behavior does not suit my purpose, I take note of it, but I don’t dwell on it, and I don’t validate it by diverting my attention to trying to interpret it.

Sometimes I think it is as simple as them trying to show you that they have initiative also, and if they sense that they have distracted you, then they begin to question if they should really follow your leadership (a lot like chasing a dog that won’t come to you, rather than walking away and making them want to be with you).

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Nyuck, Nyuck, Nyuck, Why you wise guy:cool:

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Donn, what are you talking about?? Did the quote about pig bones come from your article??

Otherwise I though what I read of your article to be very informative. To be honest, I had to put it down before I got very far, and I haven’t gotten back to it, and I have seen and heard some of it from the horse’s mouth, so I hadn’t felt a burning need to read it completely, but on the surface, it seems to be exactly what we all are looking for in SFJ.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Yes, I mean hard copy contract (15 or more written conditions), including conditions describing expectations for the action of the owner as well as the operator.

I am looking for my electronic copy of the contract, but it may be on an old desk-top computer, or on a disc at this point, but I know it is around here somewhere, and when I find it I will post a PDF of it.

Liability or other law suits can take all shapes, and in my mind, can be amazingly absurd. Basically having upfront discussions about possible problems, and being realistic and honest about the types of endeavors you will undertake is important.
I left one job after setting up a pasture, and clearing skid trails when the owner started asking whether I would hold them responsible for their dogs frightening my horses while I was working there. I reality I take full responsibility for the action of my animals, but the obvious anxiety, and lack of responsibility of the owner was a red flag, and I retreated.

I call the power company when I get with 100 feet of a power line, and I leave trees near the house for the tree company. But the point is to have clear and complete discussion of what the possible expectations are, BEFORE the job starts.

I have run into landowners who act as though they know everything, and loggers who are either afraid, or at least disinclined, to have thorough discussions, and in both situations there are invariably complications, and unmet expectations.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Welcome Russ, hope to hear more from you and your experiences.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Jason makes several good points. I happen to have a forestry degree (1982) with many years experience in forestry and logging, so I have services that are desirable beyond my ability to “skid logs with a horse” (something many people seem to think is the point of horse logging).

I also utilize a contract with every logging operation, whether the landowner asks for it or not. It is my firm belief that it is best to have all the terms and conditions on the table, clear and up front. It is a handshake with definitions.

My contract is the result of many years and the combination of several other timber harvest contracts. It has 15 or so conditions that make most other loggers cross their eyes because of the details, but I have found it to be a very effective communication device. I include a liability disclaimer, description of the expected utilization practices, a list of markets and prices paid for products, and many other components of a competent timber harvesting operation.

This is legally no protection against a liability law suit, or any other possible action by disingenuous people, but it is a good way, in my mind, to clearly define the operational relationship between operator and owner, and if someone needs more, like Jason, I say “next”!

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Ed, I wouldn’t use the reins in any way to try to “get his attention”. In his situation it is even more important that you give him consistent message of contact and direction.

I check collar fit with a flat hand it below the throat and only fingers along the sides, snug but loose enough so that as the head moves up and down as he walks there will be freedom.

As far as him extending his neck, do you mean extending his head? like pulling slack on the reins? If so it is probably hand in hand with the other behavior you have been noticing. He may be trying to figure out if he can really be comfortable with the working situation, and he be resisting the continual contact from the reins. This is a common anxiety that will also pass as they get used to the work, and when they gain condition they will realize that if they just relax and wait, they will have more energy.

Sounds like things are going well though. Keep it up.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

On the other hand I have operated as a sole-proprietor for 22 years, and have never carried any insurance.

My business is, and always has been, a low production, low input, and low income enterprise that was limited to working on projects with people who sought me out, not those that I had to advertise for, or for which I had to promote my services.

I never have felt the need to extend myself beyond my own ability to recover financially, (pay as I go), and I have walked off of jobs where people start to express anxiety over liability.

I know in this day and age it seems naive, but I absolutely believe in the sanctity of honest human interaction as the basis for business transactions.

This is not a suggestion, just offered as an observation based on personal experience. I have never been one to follow the experts’ advice that seemed pregnant with assumptions that lead to greater financial indebtedness, and breed insecurities that devalue community interaction.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

I actually haven’t looked into the poem that is referenced, but it conjures for me a feeling of bringing out the spirits of those animals who have fed the family, and placing them in one of the most personal and exposed places in the homestead that represents the family, and not just the farm.(??)

Carl

[Carl Russell]

It is something Lynn has been brewing for a couple of years now. It seems like it is how he sees SFJ adapting to a higher level, using the connections for more than information trading. I like the concept, but a project of that magnitude stymies me. I will try to contribute on a more local basis.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

The long and the short of it,is Lynn is an artist, a painter, poet, and performer. SFJ has always been one of his creations. He decided from the beginning to open it up to a community, to grow a community. His focus on draft animals in the publication has more to do with his vision of the creative human experience on the land raising food, family, and contributing to society than with someone’s personal expectations about why they may buy a magazine about horses. Like all artistic expressions, not every body will be able to appreciate it, but the “lacking content” is in large part because he has opened to pages to people to contribute their own work, and his editorials are his own way of contributing. SFJ is way more than a magazine about working horses, and anybody who picks it up for the latter purpose would be rightly disappointed.

As for his views being any more extreme than anyone else’s, who gives a hoot. Year after year he rings the same tune. He is unyielding in his vision, which my not be agreeable with some, but I see it as very clear. The problem, if there is one, comes from the fact that he has a tendency to capitalize on his knowledge, which is offensive to some, and causes others to be jealous.

I happen to be one of his die-hard fans, not so much for his horse-sense, particular knowledge about equipment or working horses, nor for his political views, but as a public artist, who has been brave enough in his expression to allow it to include an unimaginable number of other people.

I know for a fact that Lynn is not the least concerned whether “the masses” view him as visionary, or extremist, he is moved to express himself, and he, by god, has built himself a platform.

Carl

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