Environmental Logging, aka horse power

[Bambi]

So some friends were having trees cut for lumber on their property. They hired a family down the road who have a work horse named Joe. This is a very nice way to log as you don't have to clear everything to get the few valuable trees. My friend let me know when they were coming, we grabbed our cameras and started shooting. The light was tricky because of bright sun and shade from the trees (time to buy a lens hood). Also, you need to find the right spot but not be in the way because when 1300 pounds of horseflesh comes dragging a log he's really moving. I took 263 pictures. Some of which I will post here for those that are interested. :)
So there was Jordan (the young man with the horse, his dad who was teaching him what to do, my friends Malcolm and Margot, their dog Sienna, myself and Irish. (I trailered him there to do some riding in the woods).

Hauling the log
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4511802030_b18a4dbdc7_b.jpg

resting
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4511799026_2122a4ffc1_b.jpg

[Bambi]

showing how you can use these horses to navigate small spaces:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/4511794620_a5444b74d8_b.jpg

without a log the horse can really move! You'd better have long legs and a fast stride to keep up.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/4511194019_c76107d4c9_b.jpg

[Mad Aussie]

Cool shots. Are those Clydesdales? Or something different?

[Bambi]

thanks. He's not big enough to be a pure clydesdale. My guess is he's a cross of some sort.

I liked this view too which shows the log:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4511638771_aaafbdbc21_b.jpg

sometimes the horse gets tangled in the chains that pull the log. It amazed me how the two men were able to get him untangled without a wreck happening:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2127/4511636825_4cec3c110c_b.jpg

[Mad Aussie]

I guess it's what they do!

[Hillbillygirl]

Nice shots showing a rare event for most, Bambi. Really like #2 myself.
This is probably a Suffolk Punch by the looks of it. Most that do this around our parts use this breed also.
Friend of ours also uses Haflingers.
P.S. Should weigh little less than 13000 lbs though;)

[Bambi]

the HBG. He can't be a Suffolk Punch- or at least not a purebred as he's not a Chestnut.
Suffolk Punches generally stand 16.1 to 17.2 hands tall (65 to 70 inches/165 to 178 centimetres),[3] weigh 1,980 to 2,200 pounds (900 to 1,000 kg),[4] and are always chestnut in colour.

[casil403]

That is just way too neat B...what a treat to get to shoot this! :highfive:
I remember those 2 guys from another thread you posted a few months ago.
They do the heavy horse pull here at the Calgary Stamepede...it is by far my fave event just watching those beautiful gentle giant animals pull tons of weight! They are just so eager to do it too!
Amazing...thanks for sharing...... :)

[Bambi]

no problem, I am happy to share! And you are correct, I posted the horse and young man before.

I still have tons more to upload.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/4512399389_22668f81b2_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4512383599_bb63a826e3_b.jpg

[casil403]

He is definitely a beauty for certain....the horse that is....the young man is a wee bit young although he is very nice looking too.:headslap:

:eek:Gawd...I feel like Missus Robinson for saying that! :eek: :footinmou

[Michaelaw]

That is such a cool looking horse!...Strong too :laughing:

[Bambi]

He is definitely a beauty for certain....the horse that is....the young man is a wee bit young although he is very nice looking too.:headslap:

:eek:Gawd...I feel like Missus Robinson for saying that! :eek: :footinmou

lol. He's too adorable. He said that if he knew there were going to be pictures he would have worn a better jacket. :laughing:


That is such a cool looking horse!...Strong too :laughing:


oh yes!!! Would you believe that he's 17?

[Hillbillygirl]

Sorry Bambi. In my absence, (while I was in shower), hubby tried to answer with his limited knowledge :rolleyes:. Should have asked why he hollered in the door if that was the breed they used for logging here.
Pretty easy to tell, not only from being a "bay", but not near the size of the Suffolk Punch they use around here.
Love the action shots ,and you definitely caught them very well. It is amazing to watch, you had a real treat thats for sure.
As for the breed, I am with you, looks like a cross of some sort.

[Bambi]

lol, that's why you don't let your husband on your account!! :clown:

[Bambi]

last of the set:
I include this because I though it was cute. This is my horse, Irish, realizing that his job is really not that hard:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/4514019571_d7f5ee8219_b.jpg
hooking up the log:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/4514586354_07d1a0c6fc_b.jpg

the work is done and time to go home. I love this because it shows the joy that Jordan takes in his horse:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2300/4514634372_be38129dc5_b.jpg



and finally we say good bye to Jordan and Joe:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2306/4514587712_4c2d2a0e79_b.jpg