| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| lowri |
horse-logging coursesA friend is interested in a horse-logging course with the object of setting up, getting his own horse and clearing woodland for himself and friends. Has anyone been on these courses, and are there any in the Wales/Borders areas? Advice appreciated. |
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| Hairyloon |
I don't think it is rocket science.
If you can drive a horse properly, get one and give it a go. Get the right tools and start gentle. What's the worst that could happen? |
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| Nanny |
you could drop a couple to tons on wood on your foot...there are places round and about if you google....you also need to have the propler cradle for it, they cost a lot to buy, come from norway or seden or somewhere like that...i think that is waht the course covers
rolf was keen to have a go but never got to it |
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| sean |
[pedant hat on]Rocket science is very simple. It's rocket engineering that's difficult.[pedant hat off] |
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| Ecocentric |
Just as well horselogging does not involve much engineering (at it's simplest, harness and chains) and only a modicum of Archimeadean science..... 
There is at least one Horselogger in Ceredigion. Might be worth having a chat with him. PS. Childer Wood in Herefordshire aint that far away. |
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| RGT |
It isn't rocket science right enough, but on the strength of a w/e taster course a couple of years back I'd suggest that it does require a lot of skill handling horses, and training them unless you're prepared to spring for ready-trained beasts. The kit is a similar cost to ATV compact forestry gear - maybe £1k for an arch, £3k+ for a forwarding trailer, £?k for harness &c, I think 'Swedish style' kit is manufactured here these days.
There's a trade group called IIRC 'British Horse Loggers', at the time I did the course their main man was based in your neck of the woods (sorry) around Ledbury. Try www.heavyhorses.net. Great way to extract from tricky/sensitive sites, hard way to make a living. |
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| lowri |
Thanks a lot everyone, this is just what I had hoped to pass on to said friend. Sounds really interesting and informative (particularly Doug Joiner's bracken basher, could use that myself! (on a small scale!) | ||||
| Hairyloon |
Certainly it is simple, but it does require a high degree of precision. |
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| Gervase |
Not exactly brain surgery either! | ||||
| bodger |
This one has been on my favourites list for ages. I don't think that you can beat the combination. See what you think.
http://www.heavyhorses.net/Pages/cider.htm |