Skidding wood with Reno

[jen judkins]

After talking with John and Carolyn Plowden at the Field days last week, I agreed to sign up for the ‘Low Impact Forestry’ course in Unity, Maine put on by MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association) next month. In the wake of any event like the field days, its easy to get excited about the next horse drawn adventure and it didn’t take much to get me registered and to mail my check, lol. They encouraged me to bring a horse as well.

Well, about halfway into the week I wondered what the hell had I gotten myself into….I didn’t even know if Reno had skid wood before. I’m sure if he had worked in the woods it was part of a team….so I thought I better get him out and see where our holes are before attending the course.

Reno, as many of you are aware, is recovering from an injury. When he is relaxed and confident he is sound. When he is nervous or unconfident, he limps. Makes it really easy to judge his state of mind….

So today I harnessed him up and assumed he knew nothing about skidding wood. We started simply ground driving, making sure he was responding well to rein cues as well as verbal cues. Then I hooked the single tree. I was alittle surprised to see he was bothered by the noise of the single tree, especially on gravel. We spend a good 30 minutes pulling that singletree around on the grass then onto the gravel until he was not reacting to the change in sound and vibration. Then I hooked on the chain and went through the whole deal again, though it took less time.

I chose a big tree as our first skid. It was about a 1/4 mile skid, all up hill and the heaviest, but as dead fall goes not a really heavy load for such a big horse. I figured the uphill skid as well as the load would help me if he got alittle nervous (input on this welcome). He was awesome. As soon as he felt the load he was all business…like he finally understood what was going on. I love a horse that loves a job! We made several skids this afternoon. My favorite was a pretty big log that was wedged in an old stonewall. He had to really push hard to get it free and we were both smiling when it came loose.

I wish I had photos, like Big John, but I was alone today.

[john plowden]

Can’t wait to see you there –
Glad you are bringing Reno – It’s nice to hear he has’nt forgotten how to log !
John

[Carl Russell]

Well done. Welcome to the “I done it alone club”. Here’s to more untaken photos.

Carl

[TBigLug]

@Carl Russell 12034 wrote:

Well done. Welcome to the “I done it alone club”. Here’s to more untaken photos.

Carl

x2

I’m spoiled rotten by Heather. It’s nice to be able to have the photos to show the world but we can all imagine you holding those lines with the thousand mile grin! Keep up the good work!

[Andre]

Oh boy. I think you have the “bug”
I am sure he hasn’t forgot how to log. Reno has always been one of those horses that likes a good load. I think he just likes the praise after a job well done. Him being nervous at the sound of the single tree baffles me though. Did he look nervous or was he “prancing”? Hearing that single tree dragging might have made him anticipate what was in store for him. He has always been very eager to work in the woods. And I always have been smiling when working him. You have one hell of a partnership with him and he will give you his all. That I am sure of. Oh so glad that he ended up with you. I couldn’t have found a better place!! Let us know how it goes

[jen judkins]

Andre, I don’t think it was a training issue. Injured horses tend to be more reactive than non injured horses. So you have to treat them differently. Reno never tried to leave me. He just looked more tense or reactive with the noise of the singletree. I don’t think it was anticipation , though I could be wrong.

He was awesome, no matter what! I couldn’t be happier…working with him, whatever I do, he is right there with me. Even when he is unsure. Thanks, Andre. You are both the best!

[Ed Thayer]

Jen,

Welcome to the ” I dragged more firewood than I can use in 10 years club”

There is something special about pulling wood to me. I don’t know why.

Nice to hear Reno ejoyed the work.

This may not be a conventional horse logging practice, but I use a large hook that I attach to the rear spider ring on Ozzies but and hook the single tree to it to keep the whole assembly off the ground when heading back for another hitch.I do not do this not to make him more comfortable but to keep the chain and tree off the stumps and brush.

ED

[Theloggerswife]

Congrats Jen. Anyone that knows you would NEVER doubt you and your power to get things done!

I am look forward to reading about your next adventure with Reno.

[Author]

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