[john plowden]

Nice job Ed!!
It’s really neat that you have the original chain covers –
John

[john plowden]

I’ve been using mid range plastic – the farther the wedge is from the hinge the easier it is to move the top – Two wedges always work better than one – some trees need a “cookie” or two a green wood disc from a limb or sapling between 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch thick that you put your wedge on top of in the cut – using an open face notch and a bore cut allows you to place your wedges for maximum advantage and safety-
John

[john plowden]

#2 –
“International Draft Powered Forestry Association”
“Draft Powered Forestry International”

#3 –
“To promote positive impact forest management using draft animals and appropriate technology”

“Improving the lot of the practicing horselogger while adding to the richness and diversity of the forest.”

#4

“To develop some sort of state or regional organization to help with training new and upcoming horse loggers Get more awareness to the general public find and promote new ways to use animal power to enhance our forest world wide!”

”Work to establish a separate and reasonable Worker’s Comp category for animal loggers.”

”A net work to discuss ideas, successes and failures”
“To establish an international directory of associations, organizations, and individuals who are supporting /(or practicing)/ the work of draft animal forestry practitioners.”

”To advance an ecological perspective of forest management, based on the use of draft animals, and other low impact/low input strategies.”

“To serve as an official body to support collaboration, research and demonstration with all interest groups on the issues of sustainable forestry including, governmental, non governmental organizations (NGO), academic institutions, municipalities, private landowners and those individuals interested in actually doing this work.”

”A place to advertise services, tools, and equipmen

“We need a way to rate or insure performance and praise a job well done”

”Work with researchers to study and publish ecological benefits of animal logging.”
”Share techniques and strategies.”

[john plowden]

Haying! and cutting some pine –

[john plowden]

Very nice Rick
well done!
John

[john plowden]

Scott – Days do come along that a usually calm and well worked horse will pick up on and throw a wrench into the plan – a reminder to me to leave the agenda at home – almost every time it is because I have changed the pace or routine that we follow and not given enough time for adjustment – because I need to get it done NOW –
I have a gelding that has worked for years in a team but lost his team mate – he is quite herd bound but will work single off the farm – there are days or times during the day that he looks to me for partnership so I will walk at his head with lines in hand while working – both into the woods and out with a load -this really boosts him up and after a while he can go it alone again –
Glad to see so much support on the thread –
John

[john plowden]

Let’s get it going –
– To promote positive impact forest management using draft animals and appropriate technology –
– We need a way to rate or insure performance and praise a job well done –
– Work-mans comp is a huge issue that should be addressed –
– a data base/ referral system to share with prospective clients –
– a place to advertise services,tools,and equipment –
– a net work to discuss ideas,successes and failures –
– mentoring or training –
Just some thoughts for now – still thinking on the name – John

[john plowden]

Scott – I was paid a daily rate, transport and set up – plus they provided housing and fenced pasture –
John

[john plowden]

Yeah I went diagonally and straight down – narrow path and almost no effort pulling – Dan was really good about walking and feeling what is behind him – I wish I had some video to share – slope was much greater than the 20-30% that the forester estimated – lesson learned – visit site first ! the only reason I didn’t was the travel distance – It was a really good job – I have a clam bunk that is very use full and will hold quite a load off the ground in front and break the load- twitching down to a hot yard or two then using the arch and or four wheeled bunks really worked well –
John

[john plowden]

I know now that a bunk cart is a log doggie – never herd it called that –

[john plowden]

Lets get a network going –
John

[john plowden]

Would you describe a “log doggie”?

[john plowden]

Lancek – The folks doing the tour asked quite a few questions and I spent a good amount of time explaining how to drop trees where you want them and how hauling logs cut to length does less damage and why certain trees were chosen to be cut and others left but most were impressed with watching the horse come around to hitch and calmly walk off down the trail leaving barely a trace –
John

[john plowden]

I think breaking down into groups may complicate an already difficult task and that perhaps having a core person or small “editorial ” group that any active member can contribute to would work – who that is may be the question –
Carl has a wonderful connection going on here – It may be alot to ask , but why not let DAP run the show ? We’re all here contributing daily – We could print and mail out articles monthly – We could start with short bios –
Just some thoughts – I have to put on waders and get the horses to dry ground!
John

[john plowden]

message received – back from mass. – great week !! I’ll read and add thoughts in a bit –
John

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