Horse Logging – Questions

[Tayook]

I’ve loved reading through some of the old posts on this board. I did a lot of searching for a forum dedicated to this subject!!

Anyway, the reason I am here.

My husband and I are interested in starting a horse logging operation. We both have experience (and enjoy) cutting and handling horses, but have no “professional” experience. We cut wood on a weekly basis for personal use and have four companion horses. If we could make this a reality it would be a dream come true.

I have read just about every horse logging article that Google has to offer, but I am lacking information, mainly about the financial end of the process.

I have compiled a list of start up costs, expenses by the year/month, and then projected revenues for achieving that elusive break-even point. I based this on 75% of revenue steaming from sawlogs and 25% from fuelwood.

The information I am lacking is how I sell the wood: )

I understand that sawmills buy logs, but have no idea where to start a conversation with them about buying the logs we harvest. Also, how do we determined what percentage/payment goes to the land owner for the logs harvested.

I am a bit more familiar with fuelwood. I know that there are several ways to sell fuelwood from loads of sawlogs to several levels of processed fuelwood that we deliver by the cord (or is it chord?). But, again, no idea how to charge or what to charge or who to ask.

And, if it makes a difference; we are in North Central, PA. Very rural and our closest competition is 75 miles away.

Thank you in advance for any info, I really look forward to your responses!

[Gabe Ayers]

Tayhook,

I just posted a response to your same question on the RH front porch. These are great questions and I suspect you will get good response here.

I have a morning appointment and will get back here to see what I can offer.

Since you posted the question under Sustainable Forestry, then you are on the right search path, because it is more about sustainable forestry than anything else in our experience.

On the other page the address of our web site was offered and is here too.

We look forward to helping you based on the experience we have. More later.

Welcome to DAP

[Tayook]

I have no idea how I have not come across your website!! I am sure I must have, but for some reason didn’t look around! So much to read!

Looking forward to your reply!

[Carl Russell]

Hi Tayook, here are a few links from this forum that have covered various aspects of what you seek.

Draft animals in forestry:
http://www.draftanimalpower.com/showthread.php?t=778

Economics of horselogging:
http://www.draftanimalpower.com/showthread.php?t=93

It’s all I can do right now, kids in the drive with balls, bats, and gloves screaming for their dad:D:D:D

Carl

[Rick Alger]

Things vary regionally, but in NH here is what I do:

1. I get spec. sheets from the local mills. These tell what the mills take and how much they pay.

2. I get hauling prices from at least two local truckers with self-loaders.

3. I get a general idea of stumpage value (value of the standing timber) from the town clerk in the town where the job is.

4. I walk the lot carefully figuring how many board feet or cords a day I will be able to extract on average.

5. I divide the amount income I need per day by #4 and have a good idea of what i have to get per board foot or cord.

6. With the above material I sit down with the landowner and try to arrive at a stumpage figure (what I pay him for the wood) that is fair to him and fair to me.

This is not the best way for a horse logger to get paid for reasons discussed by Carl and Jason, but sometimes it’s the only way to get started – or keep going.

Also, with all the economic turmoil, this is a very challenging time to begin.

Anyway, best of luck.

[simon lenihan]

might be an idea to spend a week or two with a competent horselogger, find out how he or she sells their logs, firewood and other produce, how to select trees to be harvested should they not be marked, how to maximise sawlog material so that you and the forest owner benifit. you will get great advice on this forum but their is nothing like getting out there and spending some time with a professional.. good luck on your venture.
simon lenihan

[Tayook]

Thank you for the replies!!!

To answer a few questions. We live in northcentral PA right on the NY border, so we would be operating in norther, PA, southern NY. We do not have any of the equipment needed to start a logging operation, only the means to house the horses.

We have been in touch with someone that logged with horses a little while back. He stopped doing it because he reached retirement age, not because he was out of work, which seems like a good sign. We were told about him through the repair place we take our saws, we have yet to talk directly to him, but it is in the works. He may even be willing to sell the equipment to us, Toby is going back sometime this week to see when we can chat with him.

Presently, my husband is the one with the benefits package through work, so him keeping his job while I do this does not seem feasible. I don’t think we would be able to do this seperately anyway, it would lead to resentment.

I am posting a link to a local mill in our area in hopes of getting some feedback on thier operation and log prices they offer. There is another that is relitively close that I am trying to get info on. Do you usually have a few mills you sell to depending on where you are working or do you use just one. I am also looking into trucking companies, I have info on a couple, but have not contacted them yet.

[Tayook]

lol, forgot to post the link.
http://www.tworiverstimber.com/

Another question. How are sawlogs sorted? Does each truckload of logs need to be the same species and grade, or do the trucks just get loaded with everything and then sorted at the mill?

[Gabe Ayers]

This question will be best market defined by the saw mill you sell to. We just put all saw logs on a load and the mill grades them individually and sorts for their use.

There is no doubt that to get into this “business” you all should have some instruction, mentoring or training for your own safety as well as efficient operation.

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