Skidding Wood

[jen judkins]

Carl Russell wrote: “For what ever reason, whether we are predators or not, we have incredible ability to focus on particulars. However this is not a behavior that the horse will relate to positively. To be an effective leader of horses the teamster will benefit from practicing the large view.”

I was very happy that someone brought the ‘twisted wire bit’ thread to the forefront recently, as I have enjoyed reading the old posts from february. Above is a quote from Carl, I thought was particularly useful for me.

Last weekend I spent time with Ted Russell, who has been training my 2 year old Belgian, Peanut. On Sunday, we skid wood. To be clear…after I watched Ted do it several times, I took the reins and gave it a try. Ted was clear that he would utter the ‘w’ word whenever we got into trouble…it was clear he expected as much, lol. Its true, I ran Peanut into trouble on the first run, but I soon understood that the way to be successful was to take a long look at the forest and where we were aiming to go. The effect was amazing! There is no way to be effective winding through the trees when concentrating on them individually…you have to take the ‘long view’ and focus on the path ahead.

I agree with Donn Hewes post, in that skidding wood is a really wonderful way of testing skills. Peanut had to stand while I fiddled with the chain and the log. We had to manuveur in very close quarters and adjust position appropriately to get the wood free, then skid it to the landing..unhitch and go back for more. It was indeed a valuable lesson. He was perfect…it was all about my own education! Jennifer.

[Carl Russell]

Congratulations Jen,
Nice job!!!

Carl

[Does’ Leap]

Thanks so much for updating on Peanut, it has been great to follow along. You must be so thrilled!

Kristan

[jen judkins]

Thanks for the support, Kristan. I honestly can’t imagine where we would be and what kind of trouble we would have found, if it weren’t for the support and guidance I have recieved in this DAP community. It pleases me no end, to finally be doing something constructive with Peanut.

Keep an eye out for the next GMDHA newsletter….I just finished an article about our experience with Ted. Jennifer.

[TBigLug]

@jenjudkins 3330 wrote:

It pleases me no end, to finally be doing something constructive with Peanut.

I know the feeling. When we were dragging and packing with my filly it was the first time I was able to do anything constructive with her (other than driving around with tires behind the forecart). You can only make the path so smooth! 😀

[TaylorJohnson]

Ms. Jennifer,
Nice photos thanks for posting them. Let me know if you are looking for a job down the line 🙂 . Taylor Johnson

[jen judkins]

@TaylorJohnson 3405 wrote:

Let me know if you are looking for a job down the line 🙂

Aww shucks, Taylor….Thanks. I doubt I will see a career in logging, but I’ve got a bit of a wood lot, I’d like to clean up, so its nice to know it can be done. I really could use a chain saw safety course, though. Maybe I can talk Carl into bringing back his weekend course?!?

[dominiquer60]

Jenifer,

I am glad to see you and Peanut working together, it has been nice to see you progress together.
This coming weekend is the Maine Organic Farmer/Gardener Assoc. workshop on low impact forestry. I have no idea if it is too late to sign up. There is an intensive chainsaw course, but it fills early, I hope to sign up early enough for it next year. In the mean time I am sure I will be able to get a lot out of this coming weekend (actually Fri/Sat) even if I never touch a chainsaw.

Erika

[Carl Russell]

As many know, we put a lot of effort into NEAPFD this year so we were distracted from holding any horse-logging workshops at Earthwise, but I have gotten many inquiries, so it looks like a good possibility for sometime next summer.

It usually involves 3-4 days, starting with Game of Logging (chainsaw safety), then introduction to the woodlot (silviculture, skid trail layout, determining product, etc.), and then application of animal power in timber harvest ( directional felling, equipment choice and use, skills and techniques, etc.).

The last time we ran it we held one day classes on 3-4 successive weekends. This time I have a list of interested people so I will probably ask for a schedule that meets the interests of those wanting to participate.

It is my firm belief that there are so many things other than the horse going on in horse-logging, that to be effective teamsters working in the woods, we need to be skilled at the work before we can really get very far, so I try to focus my program on the work of working horses in the woods.

I’ll keep you up to date, Carl

Certainly the MOFGA Low Impact Forestry workshop is a great opportunity as well. I will be there this year too.

[jen judkins]

Sign me up, Carl…weekends work for me! Jen

[Gabe Ayers]

Spending time in the woods with a proven practitioner like Carl Russell is the best way to learn how to log with horses. There are so many details of this work that simply can’t be learned in any other way than hands on, on site with a master such as Carl.

Whatever he wants or needs to charge for the instruction will be worth it for anyone serious about working animals in the forest. Any single aspect of this educational experience would be worth paying for.

If you are going to do this, invest in yourself and your education.

Sign up early and encourage Carl to conduct modern horse logging workshops regularly….

I recommend this form of learning as the best method possible.

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