LOGGING WITH HORSES ON THE HOMESTEAD

Our low-impact solution for logging our property without disrupting the natural environment.
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Many people would love to log and manage their land, but not everyone is thrilled at the idea of large machinery tearing up new growth or large 8ft wide roads being built on their property in order to make it happen.
Horses are a great, low-impact solution for logging your property to maintain healthy growth and that's exactly what we're doing here at Riverbend!
Our good buddy Lucas, along with his horse Dan, have been logging the homestead for the past few months and they've really made some great progress.
If you live in the surrounding areas and would like to contact Lucas, you can do so here:
Lucas Wincensten - [phone]
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MORE ABOUT US!
WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: bit.ly/HFWelcom...
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- Render Your Own Lard- PDF with instructions on how to render your own lard.
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#horselogging #loggingwithhorses

[@gardeningsouthafrica894]

Love it, the horses are in great condition, I love the fact of not having to rush with machines, i think half the time we are so sick in the world today, is we are always in a rush to make a quick buck.

[@theheritagehousesc]

That is one gorgeous horse! Well taking care off! Amazing animal! I love the work that this young man is doing! Brings back memories! That’s the way they use to cut trees when I was growing up. I could use him in our land. We have pine everywhere within hardwoods we want to get rid of. Thank you for sharing! 😍❤️

[@dianehall5345]

Thank you so much for featuring the art of logging with horses! Our family farm logs with tractors because our woods are too steep for horses. I would LOVE to use Percherons! Less damage to the woods and so rewarding. The average horse is as intelligent as a 3 year old human. Wonderful animals! We file "Intent to Cut" with the state and follow it to the letter. The amount of wood we take is a fraction of what a skidder would take. We want our woods to reclaim. Yes, we make less money, but use the tops for firewood. The logging road runs past our farm cottage. I can tell the boys are coming in for dinner by the sound of the old Ford tractor chugging down the path with a log in tow.... Our land is also protected by a private land trust for future generations.

[@Bret4207]

I've never heard of land too steep for horses to work. I've heard of a lot of land too steep for a tractor though, especially an "old Ford" like a N series or Hundred series.

[@dianehall5345]

Your reply just came into my mailbox yesterday. My brother-in-law logs with a tractor. He has been logging for since 1988. He does have issues regarding steep hills. If the logs roll back or push the tractor they will not break the tractor's legs... I have read stories of logging in my Great Grandfather's day, where both men and horses were injured or killed while logging on hilly terrain. That's all I know about the subject. I go by what Jerry tells me, as I watch him and my husband drag logs of Oak/Pine/Hemlock, down the steep logging road next to our cottage, just about every day this winter. They often use wood ash from our kitchen wood stove to grit the slope.

[@sharmeebradbury3263]

This is sooo beautiful, makes me think of the days when my grandpa would log trees off of his land ... Thank you for sharing this.. Your family is such a blessing

[@NS-pf2zc]

What an awesome way of harvesting timber, and what an awesome young man! That horse is just stunningly beautiful! So healthy and muscular! It's clear his priorities are right and he cares about doing a good job with the land and with his animals. Bravo! (Oh. And also how wonderful you are managing the way you are!)

[@abbeysomething1352]

Natasha S. Josh and his family are a magnet for good people 🙌🏽

[@FireCreekForge]

Way to go Lucas! Lucas and his family are friends of ours. Blessings on your homestead!

[@oldschoolwoolandweaving835]

We have Percherons. I can say that the relationship between horse and teamster is deeply satisfying in a way that you can't have with a tractor. :-)

[@jenniferd1703]

I had my property logged with Amish large draft horse team... Diesel and Hemi😊😊😊 great experience!!!..the young man taught me to use a chain saw . Very nice young man

[@backwoodsbaby9729]

Logging roads leave damage in the woods for DECADES....like still damaged when it's time to log the next set of trees... even skidder roads/paths leave damage for decades. Horse or mule logging is definitely more sustainable and less impactful

[@FlutyLickHomestead]

That is awesome, last time our land was logged my great grandpa logged it with oxen. Wish someone around us logged like this!

[@garrettmarcon4637]

I wish this was still a preferred practice to manage the land. Technology has its place and I understand people need to work. I live in BC, just across the border from Idaho. Its pretty sad how the landscape looks in my province from clear cuts and roads. Thanks for the video

[@christine1373]

We would have such a better world if everyone had your dedication to a sustainable environment.

[@esthergomezjimenez9487]

Absolutely beautiful video family, much love from Spain

[@donnap587]

Goodness look at the size of that horse, no wonder they have such big muscular legs pulling those extremely heavy logs for no telling how far.

[@katkameo6413]

So interesting! Beautiful horse too :) Thank you for sharing!

[@justmythought3542]

gorgeous horse

[@valeriepowell1736]

Wow, Lucas love what you do. Josh loving what your doing. I do watch the Heritage channel where they do everything thing with horses. It is so amazing to watch.

[@fdabill1]

Is that a channel on TV or youtube?

[@valeriepowell1736]

@@fdabill1 Yes, yes! it's "Rural Heritage".... and then I watch " Working Horses with Jim" I just admire people that take care of their stock all day long. No workie, workie no checkie, checkie! and most of all they trust us! I worked on the thoroughbred tracks.... " I " took care of all my horses, but I'm here to tell you it wasn't pretty. Love these guy's and their families. We are All one.... And God knows what we're doing... and life is good. God bless you and your Family. Always a place in my heart for another animal lover 🧡🦋🧸💯🥴🙏😊

[@fdabill1]

Valerie Powell Thanks so much.

[@fourseasonsnorth]

A whole bunch of us gathered around to watch this video with such delight and enjoyment! :) The great value of work that is done through the teamwork of man and beast never dies no matter how advanced machinery and AI technology becomes. This is something that has the restful feeling of timelessness. Thank you Josh, Lucas and Dan for this Video!!! All the best to each of your ventures from the Biegel Family in Northern Alberta!

[@nicolehaskell1652]

There's a friend of mine who is amazing and has a wonderful team of working horses they also use them in the woods, and for logging you should check them out Longview Farm, inc in Charlestown New Hampshire they have a Facebook page

[@dianehall5345]

Nicole- Great to hear about logging with horses in New Hampshire! We log in central N.H., but have to use farm tractors because our woods are too steep for horses. But we respect our woodlands and take a modest amount of trees per season. Enough to sustain our family farm in conjunction with raising grass fed beef and hay. We leave a light foot print on the land. Timber will remain to grow for future generations.

[@Mindy56743]

Wow that is a lost art. Watching him care for the horse is amazing and you know that he cares about the animals and the land.

[@nsebeny1781]

Enjoyed watching this as my grandfather did this during World War I, working out of Fort Lewis, WA. The wood was used in the making of airplanes for the war.

[@lenekapilarski364]

So question: How do slick hilly trails handle the horse? We have about 20 acres of trees on our property and most of it needs clearing for both pasture, and because of the tree's conditions. However its all on top of a hill that we would need to go up and down to bring logs down to our buildings/processing area. The path up the hill is wide, but the ground is slick, many times just giving way under your feet if it's the slightest bit wet, and in several spots its quite steep. Its turned out that getting our 4wheel drive truck up the path is impossible due to this quality of the ground. I'm afraid that 1) the horse's hooves is just going to turn the entire path to mush and 2) that if I don't have a method of pulling with bars, that the logs will rush up on my horse while going downhill and injure her. I should also add that the path up is not straight and is long, so just rolling the logs isn't an option or hooking a line up to it and our truck isn't an option. (Yes, both have been suggested to me multiple times)

[@georgiagirl1961]

I love the straight forward and down to earth personality of the logger. His not tech savvy has a real honest appeal and makes him more attractive for the job. His horses ste in good shape and well cared for. Theres a lot about him to desire. He is a perfect fit for his job..I love his old fashioned nature and it makes him authentic to his trade. Great choice. I suppose Georgia is a bit out of his travel range. Lol. I wish him the best. I hope you and your family continue to be blessed on the homestead. Inspiring and wholesome. Great for God, earth and humanity. Thanks.

[@christinealwayschirping4115]

Let you know you tube unscribe me from ur channel ...and thanks for all you both share God bless you both and your family

[@dogleespartan8882]

I would like to work and gain experience working horses I was wanting to use Elephants or an Elephant regardless of the animal I would like to get experience working land

[@printaboul]

Hmm ... at 8:50 we see the horse take a bite of fern. I would have never thought that horses like fern ... I would have rather thought that it is not good for them. Well, we learn everyday.

[@davegongwer106]

just as a reminder branchs that stick out from the rees should be at cut at bark level so the horse don't poke out his eye-jst a reminder

[@ericlakota6512]

We have a law in forestry in mass dice the tops below your nee and its for wild life and in 3 year its gone snow falls on it crushes it down next spring it dries out and next year snow crushes it again and it deteriorates from their. Horse are realy the chepest to open up the he is doing hear no ruts the land will need no work done after

[@melissanash6801]

4th generation Idaho native on both sides! Yes, Idaho is a good place to be. Thanks for showing the beauty of this amazing state!

[@staceyjones3261]

I’m watching now. Oh my goodness! The horse is stunning. Look at the muscles and height. Put such a creature in that gorgeous lush setting and I’m awestruck.

[@theheritagehousesc]

Belgian horses are massive! You really can’t imagine their size till you are close to them. They are so sweet too! I worked for a resque and we had a couple of them. The most beautiful things! Just stunning!

[@staceyjones3261]

@@theheritagehousesc We have a farm that raises them down the road from us. Any time the horses come near the fence people stop to admire them. A family friend also had some when I was a little girl. This breed never stops amazing me with its majestic build.

[@ericlakota6512]

Once he is gone fence it and put cows it their it will be awsome

[@plante_n_seeds4505]

That is so fantastic to watch! The sustainability factor is a big plus but it also is great to see work done without the huge machinery. Thank you for sharing! ❤️

[@Greywolf2328]

Beautiful country! I loved the overhead shots of scenery and also, that you are preserving much of the land to stay wild is great. That is one beautiful horse! I love horses.

[@vmorganbogart]

Very interesting & informative video. Thanks so much for sharing. I love the way you & Lucas think about the future of the land. Dan is a gorgeous horse. He is huge & his muscles have muscles. LOL. You can tell how well he is taken care of. What breed of horse is Dan? Thanks again for sharing this. Blessings, Love & Hugs from Vicki in Ft. Worth, Texas 🇨🇱🇺🇸👍❤️🐴🥰🙏🙏🙏

[@nathaliehutchinson4669]

It seems to me that is such a beautiful way to live. Bless u. gOD keep u safe

[@pamedajoch]

Beautiful 'horse-power'. It's great to see a young man caring for his animals and the land in a productive way.

[@susehendricks6217]

Good documentary, great video quality! Thanks! Maybe my Clydesdale needs a new job 😉

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

Both Laura and Almanzo wilder lived way into their 90s. Almanzo suffered a stroke early in his 30s due to diphtheria and it was farmwork that actually helped him to rehabilitate. Laura and all her sisters would later all die from complications of diabetes type 2 in later years when their lives became more modernized, more sedentary.......!!!!! this is the healthiest lifestyle ever!!!!

[@pieceofkakes]

I really love the sustainable approach to the logging it is absolutely inspiring! I look forward to each and every one of the homesteading family videos you are both so knowledgeable and make homesteading approachable and realistic, it is amazing thank you for sharing so much knowledge and experience with the world 🙏🏼

[@sofiabryan5074]

Gorgeous horse. This was fascinating and very educational, I didn't realize horse logging still existed. I hope this never become a lost art. Maybe he should get an apprentice(s) to preserve the trade.

[@joylouise5417]

Few years ago, I had 3 acres cleared by conventional means (property I have rented out now). When they finished it looked like a tornado had run through there. Ruts 2 and 3 ft deep in great swaths where they backed in huge trucks. Debris and trash everywhere. Truly heartbreaking. Wish we had found a gentle loving workman like this one. Thank you for showing such a kind way of clearing land.

[@commonsense1085]

You look like craigmorgan!

[@abbeysomething1352]

I look forward to sharing with my family. Great video! Great stewards! GBY both and all our families~

[@oldschool9746]

what do you do with the stumps?

[@rough-hewnhomestead5737]

Hats off to Lucas for dedicating his time and energy to doing something he enjoys and feels good about....and hats off to Homesteading Family for caring about the land enough that it's not all about the dollar. That's a lesson our world needs to learn en masse---it's not just about the dollar. There are more important things. Thanks for sharing this interview with us!

[@kimtanner8711]

This was fabulous ! Great management , Love it. Blessings !!!

[@mikegriffin3437]

Have watched a show called Mountain Men and they profile a man named Eustace Conway who still does horse logging in North Carolina

[@dhansonranch]

Great, informative video. There are few around that still do this...nice to see! Good job to you both! We had an commercial operation up here for years and it was interesting to watch. The terrain there looks fairly mountainous so this harvest style also helps prevent erosion. What causes more branching is the openness with which the pine grows (looks like lodgepole or pondersosa pine), so the more dense the stand, the fewer lower branches...So when thinning, I would suggest that one keeps this in mind...all part of what you want to manage for. As this selective harvest will help thin out the forest it will also help to slow down a forest fire should one start...so I am curious if you are setting your place up to be fire smart (a program we have up here and I think you have as well) ?

[@tanarehbein7768]

Wow wow wow! God bless the young people who can run with horses. Enjoy the simple life!

[@MomentsDivine]

His horse is named Dan!! 😂 I Love it!!!

[@hannahmiller247]

This makes me want horses all the more lol but great info and love y’alls videos!

[@cherylpresleigh6403]

What an amazing young man. I love that he is doing the logging with horses and a beautiful horse indeed. He clearly takes good care of his horses too. Fun video!

[@sandraferguson5788]

My dads job in the 20's, 30s & 40's was a teamster he had 2 horses but no chainsaws hard work but great way to clear the bush

[@calliefournier4545]

Thank you for sharing this process with us. I had no idea this still existed. I was hoping we’d get to meet the horses though!!

[@Greens5511]

This is so interesting! So nice u r opening eyes to taking care of the earth!

[@sueeasley5366]

That is a very beautiful horse. That would be fun to watch the horse work.

[@rudygfan]

Nice Belgian, know he enjoys it! horses do love to work and exercise!

[@susehendricks6217]

Lucas, glad to see that young man like you still exist! God bless you!

[@mcdc101201]

Fantastic video. Thank you!

[@mattthompson6680]

this was awesome

[@ardenpeters4386]

that was cool!

[@greatlandranchrescue5363]

Wonderful!

[@whitepinehomestead]

That horse is amazing! What a beautiful animal!

[@ohske]

👍👍👍👌♥️

[@jamest2168]

What a great video and a great young man!

[@journeyoflovelight]

Very interesting...thank you.

[@christinarulien645]

Really enjoyed this video. What type of horses are good for this kind of work? I would be interested in another video about the tack and equipment and what kind of training goes into logging with horses.

[@saucywench9122]

Draft horse or mules.

[@lisakukla459]

I just love this. He seems like a really good kid. Also, does anyone know what that type of hat is called? I need one in my life!

[@printaboul]

Heavy smiling .....The hat: The same thought crossed my mind.

[@lulamamie8524]

Awesome video! 🐎 ❤️

[@nathaliehutchinson4669]

Where is this place at it’s like GODS country.

[@saucywench9122]

Idaho.

[@lilaccottage5885]

That horse has muscles!

[@deborahtofflemire7727]

Wow that was fun.

[@cathykirkmcrae7727]

Fantastic!

[@tiglet53]

cool

[@josiahhill4993]

is that a horse, or an elephant?

[@intelligenceissexy3733]

Buy a freaking tractor!