[Carl Russell]

Some say just dreaming, but we’re working at it. Now in the process of returning 30 acres to pasture that my grandfather planted to pine 50 years ago. Our primary initiative now is to develop sustained lines of livestock for on-farm production for meat, eggs, and milk, and a land-base to sustain feed, food, fiber, and forest products. May take a few years, but that’s what dreams are all about.

Welcome, Carl

[Carl Russell]

Hey Ed, Welcome. Got snow? Hope to hear about some of your exploits, Carl

[Carl Russell]

Quote:

Teaming
cooperation
Joint work toward a common end.
coaction, collaboration, teamwork

I think the term comes more from the activity you are undertaking, than the thing with which you are engaged in the activity with.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

It seems pretty amazing to think about the heavy metals that could come from a tire harrow.

My experience is that a tire harrow is a perfect tool for dragging pasture. I actually use it in conjunction with my chain harrows.

The tires don’t seem to wear that much, but I know Cadmium is nothing good. There are so many other heavy metals coming out of our polluted air that I’m not sure I add that much more with the tire harrow, although I realize that logic is flawed.

Tire harrows are easy to make, and seem like they last a long time. They actually grab clods, and roll them out in a specific way that is different than the chain harrows.

For what it’s worth, Carl

[Carl Russell]

Jen, Awesome. I hope you’re documenting this to be part of a workshop at NEAPFD about “starting out”.

The harness looks pretty good. I especially like the wet hair. My only feed-back is that the front trace looks a little too long, which is a chronic problem with current harness makers, and not anything you did, or that you can adjust. From my perspective it should be a couple of inches shorter, more like where your shaft loop belly band is, and usually requires a custom harness maker.

Keep up the good work, Carl

[Carl Russell]

Here are a couple of photos showing single horse logging equipment.
Carl

[Carl Russell]

This is a picture shows the type of bridle chain that I use. Although this is on a sled with a pole, especially on snow and ice I use this chain to slow the sled down. It is made with a finger and ring on one end, and a large link on the other end. Put the chain under(in front of) the runner, loop it around to the finger, put the finger through the end link, fold it over and slide the ring on to the finger. When the sled stops, take the ring off the finger, which lets go of the end link and the chain can slide out from under the runner.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Tayook, you can use any logging equipment, cart, bobsled, scoot, arch, with single horse, just smaller and lighter. You would really benefit from watching someone doing it for a while, just to give you a perspective on the possibilities.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Peavey was the name of the guy who invented it. A must for horse logging in my mind. I can practically move the world as long as I have a peavey in one hand. I use the point to pry between logs. Cant hooks are traditionally used on sawmills, turning cants.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Tayook,
Your horse would be fine for fuelwood operation, but as Perchhauler points out green + green = black and blue. Spend time with some more experienced, take training programs, like Game of Logging, or the program offered by HHFF.

I also work in the woods part-time, because of family, and home-farm responsibilities. One of the beauties of animal-power is the low overhead, so working them only part-time is not the same noose that power equipment can create.

The only problem that I have run into is that it can be very difficult to get jobs completed when you throw in bad weather, sick days, family responsibilities, farm chores, etc. Also I get really self conscious about telling someone to keep waiting, and if you work with a forester, they may need time commitments from you.

But, it can work, and it is probably a good way to progress. I started out with one horse, working a couple of other jobs, and worked my way into a full-time 2 horse operation that lasted for 10-15 years.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Just for conversation, it can be somewhat cumbersome rigging up shafts on a scoot, so one way to keep the thing from running up on the heels is to use a bridle chain. A chain that can be wrapped around the runner, and easily undone, can add just enough drag so that the sled has to be pulled down hill. Seems somewhat counterproductive, but it is effective, and easy.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Yes Larry, I think if you check remember me when you register your user name and also I think that you can check never log out, or something like that. I was having the same problem, and did one of the above functions when I logged in over a year ago, and have never had to since.

Let me know if you have any other problems, Carl

[Carl Russell]

Robert, I’m thinking part-time work, salvage cutting, labor intensive firewood. Make it simple and low cost. If you start thinking team, and any terrain, and heavy costly sled building, then your going to be thinking Halflingers?, Belgians?, purchasing stumpage, logging full-time?

I was thinking small sled that doesn’t need to be backed up because it is so small you can turn it around when the animal gets it to the tree. Just use it with a single to maximize maneuverability, and only go after the trees on terrain where you can use the sled without too much danger. You’re already doing so much by hand, just use a little more muscle from the donk.

I know where you are, it is similar to how I farm, big enough to get as much as I need, but not so big that I have to bury myself in it, not quite big enough to justify a lot of time and expense, but big enough to require more than I have sometimes. It really comes down to your own preferences. My suggestion, and that is all it is, is just try some of this , and a little of that, and just see what works, and how you can get the animals to really help.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

WVDrafty;7269 wrote:

…. Each horse walked from the beginning and stayed relaxed. It was enjoyable. I will hook drag on behind tomorrow and get them two birds while working on turns and light line pressure. Carl, Will this transfer to being hooked as a team. ….

What should transfer to the team is your confidence, and connection to each horse. It can take some time for you to substantiate that connection with each animal so that you can over-ride the dynamics between the two. Also after driving, and accomplishing tasks with single horses you will be more inclined to feel and drive each horse separately when hitched in the team.

I really like that word “enjoyable”, THAT is an important feeling to come to, and sometimes it just takes trying a wide array of methods to find it. If it’s enjoyable for you, it also is for the horses.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

The Horse Progress Days program has a lot of company ads.

Also SFJ a couple of times in the last several years has run a few articles.

I am compiling contacts etc. as we try to increase exhibitors at NEAPFD.

None of those probably answer your question directly. If you, and others want to use DAP to put together a buyers guide, I would be all over that.

Carl

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