Logging horse vs. Farm horse

[Donn Hewes]

In the past I have made a comment about the difference between a good logging horse and a good farm horse. While I have spent a little time with horse loggers and greatly admire their craft, I am a farmer so I will throw out my idea of the difference between a logging horse and a farm horse to see what others might add or subtract.
The work that we are asking them to do is fundementally different. The logging horse is asked for short periods, (or not so short) of effort that is much closer to their maximum strength (loggers put in percent here). In farming they are asked to work steadily with short rests for hours, but the effort required may only be 10 to 25% of there maximum strength.
The logging horse needs to be alittle more “up’, a little more fire in the belly. The aditude of let’s go prove what we can do to the world, is useful to them. The logging horse might tend to be a little bigger. A little heigth if you are useing it lift the logs, and also because you are usually limited as to how many horses you can use. The farm horse must also be a willing worker, but excess enthusiasm is quickly wasted. They should be calm and patient all the time. As to size, farmers find it a little easier to add more horses for jobs that require more power. A slightly smaller horse is easier to harness and cheaper to feed. This may also relate to our discussions of how we drive them.
Of course this is a generalization. People allways ask can’t the same horse do both? The very best horses could do both well. The rest would do a little better at one than the other.

[Carl Russell]

Donn, I won’t contradict anything you say.

My horses are used for everything from cultivating potatoes to pulling sled-loads of logs. My expectations for them are to be willing working partners. I do not condition their training to any particular task, only to the working communication. I say that it is not logging/farming with horses, it’s working horses (or cattle for that matter) in the woods, or in the field.

I expect only the necessary power exertion from the animals in conjunction with the current working situation. If they have to give all they got to lift a loaded sled over a rise in the trail, then I expect them to stop when asked and to immediately calm down, and wait till next I ask them. They learn to push into the collar, and they can tell pretty quickly whether they will have to exert a lot of power or not. Even still, they are aware of how much I am giving them on the bit, so that power does not equal foolishness. I still require specific directional responses as we typically don’t have a lot of room, and there are always obstacles.

In the field, mowing or cultivating where exertion is less, I expect them to respond according to my direction through the lines and bit.

I think that more often than not there are people who are horse-loggers, or horse-farmers, and in those situations there may be habitual differences, as animals and teamsters get used to particular exertion levels. My inclination is to take on a broad range of working situations, because I believe that the animals are capable of, and ideally suited for it. Carl

[Plowboy]

I guess I would say that a farm horse that is used often would be good in the woods too. We have had alot of play days over the years with 10 or more teams working in the same woodlot. The hobby horses wear out quicker but the farm horses hang in there. The every day logging horse would probably be more in tune with the specific task but if they are trained to work they should work in any given situation. Most of our horses have been to the woods and to parades. In public they are docile but after a few skids in the woods they get wired and will get right after a big stick just for the asking. I have never logged full time but when I have been in the woods our horses give their all to please us. I wouldn’t always say a logging horse has to be bigger I skidded some big timber with a friends Belgian/ Quarter Horse cross team about 1400# and they put some big teams to shame but he did work them in the woods alot. Sometimes a huge horse is clumsy and not quite as handy. I guess you both hit the nail on the head one may be better for a certain task but most should be versatile enough to do both. You may not want a 2200# pulling horse fresh out of the woods to cultivate your potatoes!

[simon lenihan]

When working very steep rocky ground i feel the farm horse would be found wanting. Most of our work is on steep ground and on alot of occasions the horses will work loose. The logging horse who is used to working in difficult conditions will know when to shoot to the side when the load starts to run and hold the load, will trot over a hill to keep the load going, knowing if he stops in a dip he will not be able to start the load again. I have no doubt that any horse can be trained for forestry but i believe the longer you leave it the harder it gets.
simon lenihan

[TinaY]

Bachelor: As to your comment about hitch-type horses…AMEN!

[Neil Dimmock]

Farm worked horses hands down most bush horses just cant cut it out in the open, some do but not many, there whole life is pull hard then stop then run back and pull hard, thats it, farm horses pull hard then walk a straight line for two days then pull light long loads for hour and hour on end ,they get swooped by birds barked at by dogs snuck up on by cars. I can say with out doubt at what I talk because I have tryed to use old bush horses and found them second best, tryed some in my big hitches and they would pull like crazy for two minutes then stop get drug by the head then pull like crazy again the only thing worse in an old burnt out pulling team, some use there bush horses for more than one thing but they are the minority by far, most get a good logging team thats making them money you wont find them fooling with their bread and butter. and as for hitch horses most are better built to stand work than most cross bread , but if you have never used them well how would you know! personally I dont like kneeling on a wet barn floor to do up quarter straps!! but if you cant put the harness on then maybe you shoudnt drive them!!!
Neil

[TBigLug]

A couple things I’ve noticed. When I use my big horse for pulling or hauling stones (kind of like logging, heavy loads, shorter bursts of energy) I have a harder time getting him to calm down and work slow for a couple days. Grandpa and i have the same debate over and over about which is better, a well broke farm team or a well broke pulling team. I’m more inexperienced than some but I’ve always liked a really calm, well broke, non-excited farm team myself.

As for the height part, my big boy is 19.2 with alot of leg. Grandpa told me over and over that “That tall horse won’t pull the hat off your head!” But, after a couple years of hard plowing and good pulls he’s definitely changed his tune.

Also, I’m 6’5 so harnessing him isn’t much of a problem. When I harness grandpa’s little 17 handers I feel like I’m working with ponies. lol

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