The British Horse Loggers has a Professional Register for approved working members and is also able to supply contact details of other working members across the Country.

For details of the Professional Contractors list, scroll down on this page.

For details of other working members, please <<click here>> or contact Doug Joiner.

Working members can be added to the Professional Register only upon successful application to the BHL Committee. The application must be supported by a detailed portfolio of evidence including proof of current and adequate insurance, emergency planning, the completion of a competent contractor questionnaire and references for work completed.

The standard demanded is high. Those accepted have a proven track record over a period of years. This means that those on the Professional Register have demonstrated their ability to work to the highest professional standards and their work is recommended by the British Horse Loggers.

If, for any reason, you have a problem with a contractor on the Professional Register, please refer the matter to the Committee by writing to Doug Joiner. The Committee undertakes to investigate impartially. This final check will help to ensure the highest professional standards and to guarantee the reliability of the Professional Register.

If you wish to commission work and employ a contractor it is advised that you check that their declared qualifications and insurances are current and satisfy your requirements, even if they are currently on the Professional Regsiter.

Contractors on the Professional Register may be contacted direct using the details below. Recommended means of contact in bold)

Professional Register

John Bunce

Contractor since 1996, working with Clydesdales, speciality is large timber and forwarding work. Though based in the South West, John is also able to undertake long term felling and extraction contracts in other parts of the country. Equipment ranges from large grab loading forwarder, suitable for large timber, through to basic long gears and arches. Client base includes Woodland Trust, Forestry Commission, English Nature, Countryside Agency, local councils and private woodland owners. Available for shows and demonstrations. NPTC Certificated, First Aid. References available. Training courses by arangement. John Bunce, Pine Ridge Timber Horses. John is unavailable for work at the moment.

Doug Joiner

"I have been a professional horse logger since 1993 and am a woodland manager and qualified trainer. I work for statutory, national and local bodies, various woodland and wildlife trusts and many owners of small woodlands. I manage Childer Wood using horses for all the work; timber extraction, scarification, bracken and bramble control as well as for moving tools and equipment. I believe very strongly in the future of the working horse, in its flexible power and delicacy. It is a truly appropriate power source for the ultimate low impact timber extraction system, handling all timber types and sizes. A well trained horse and a professional contractor team led by the horse logger can only assist in the growing, management and harvesting of quality timber. Horses can be used at low capital cost to work with a range of equipment in private, conservation, amenity and commercial forestry, working alongside or replacing tractors and heavy machinery. I offer training in horse logging, horse work and woodland management; in groups and individually. I also demonstrate horse logging at shows across the country. I am Chair of the British Horse Loggers, the national industry body for professional horse loggers and an active member of FECTU, the European Federation for the Promotion of the Use of the Working Horse." Doug Joiner, Heavy Horses/Childer Wood Heavy Horses, Hill Farm, Stanley Hill, Bosbury, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1HE. Phone 01531 640236 Fax 01531 640236 Mobile 07773 900751 Website www.heavyhorses.net email doug@heavyhorses.net

Kate Mobbs Morgan

Kate is currently based near Monmouth and works with an Ardenne, Kipp. Having started on a voluntary basis she was then fortunate enough to spend over 3 years as Horseman on an estate in Hampshire working and gaining valuable experience with 4 Shire horses, using them in a traditional role on the land. During that time she also subcontracted for other horse loggers working on contracts for the likes of the National Trust, Natural England, RSPB and private woodland owners.
Since Kate went self-employed with her own horse she has worked for private woodland owners and local councils.
Kate has Kipp working in long gears and with a timber arch though other larger equipment is available if required. She is happy to consider both small and larger contracts, bringing in and working alongside colleagues where necessary and therefore being in a position to offer a full range of extraction methods. All ensure a low impact environmentally whilst remaining a competitive option to woodland owners.
Services offered include extraction, land management, woodland demonstrations and training. Kate is NPTC certified and can include the option of a felling service as part of the contract.
References are available and contacts for Kate are: Kate Mobbs-Morgan, Middle Crwys, The Hendre, Monmouth, NP25 5NL, tel:01600 715175. Mobile: 07986 337205 or e-mail: katemobbsmorgan@hotmail.com , www.rowanworkinghorses.co.uk

Mark Turnbull

Mark had worked horses for many years before coming into forestry in the year 2000, combining his chainsaw skills with his love of horses. Since then Mark has carried out a wide range of contracts and has gained two environmental awards for his work. Mark can work alone or with other horse logging contractors to offer a complete and efficient service. Mark has a full range of equipment from traditional chains to modern arches and eight-wheeled forwarder allowing him to carry out a variety of contracts. Based in the North East, Mark has worked for Durham, Middlesborough and Leeds County Councils, English Nature, National Trust, RSPB, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as well as private woodland and moorland owners. Mark favours using the sure footed and immensely strong Dales cross horses and currently has five horses available for work. Mark also offers a horse drawn bracken service and has put together a three man team travelling the country with two horses and rollers and a man to remove bracken from around trees, walls etc. Mark can also be seen all over the country demonstrating his horses at shows giving the public an insight into the working horse. Mark carries NPTC certificates and is a qualified first aider. Mark Turnbull, 8 South View, Bishop Middleham, Ferryhill, Durham, DL17 9BA. Phone 01740 656705 Mobile 07708 606561 email: timbertinker@supanet.com

Chris Wadsworth

"I started as a Horse Logging Contractor in 1990, and have worked more or less continuously ever since. A year previously, I had been made redundant from my job as a Lab Technician, and devised my own training program, learning horse work with Geoff Morton in East Yorkshire, and forestry with the Camphill Village Trust at Botton in the North York Moors. In the early years, I worked mostly in commercial forestry, typically thinning work, felling and extraction, on steep ground. Clients included Forest Enterprise, Tilhill, and private Estates. Since the late '90s, my work has been mostly in the Conservation and Ammenity area. Clients have included English Nature, The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, The National Trust, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, and Middlesbrough Borough Council. I now have experience of working on a wide variety of sites, including wetlands and urban sites with high public access. I often manage whole projects, including planning, felling, managing Sub- Contractors, as well as horse work. Recently, I have diversified into Horse -drawn Bracken Rolling, Scarification, and Chain-Harrowing and Cultivation with Horses on Organic Farms. I currently have three work horses, and work with a variety of logging tackle, from chain snigging, to Ulvins Arch, and an Ep-vagnen horse fowarder." Chris Wadsworth, 41 Fernie Road, Hunters Hill, Guisborough, Cleveland, TS14 7LZ. Phone 01287 634017 Mobile 07531 331440. email: wadsworth32124@aol.com

Frankie Woodgate

Frankie has a Woodland Management business (Sylvan Environmental Ltd), specialising in the management of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland. Based in the South East she has had practical experience working in woodlands and forestry as well as a BSc in Countryside Management. Frankie has spent a number of years researching the role of horses in UK and European Forestry and has written a number of articles for Forestry Journals. Currently working 2 Ardennes to a range of equipment including grab loading forwarder, arch and long gears. Client base includes Forestry Commission (Kent and Hamps), Woodland Trust, English Nature, National Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, local councils and a range of private woodland owners. Services offered are felling and extraction, management planning, Woodland Grant Scheme applications and training in horse logging. NPTC Certificated, First Aid. References available. Frankie Woodgate, 11 Greenside, High Halden, Ashford Kent TN26 3LT. Mobile 07929 202963

email frankie.woodgate@btinternet.com

Web site: www.sylvanenvironmental.com