Become a Horse Logger
If you have clicked on this page then obviously becoming a horse logger may be something you are thinking about and perhaps the next few paragraphs will help take that thought further.
Obviously the first thing we are going to tell you to do is to join the British Horse Loggers, a sensible place to start. By joining you will be able to get our quarterly newsletter which as well as having current news and articles keeps you up to date with any events or training courses we are running. Come along to as many events and training courses as you can. The courses we run offer excellent learning opportunities and will give you a taster as to whether it is something you would like to take further. At the very least though it is an opportunity to meet like minded people. Membership of the BHL also allows you access to our very competitive insurance scheme should you go all the way and start to work a horse of your own in Forestry.
Find your closest Heavy Horse Society, there is one in most regions of the country and go along to their events too. You don’t have to own a horse to belong. These will also give you the chance to chat to people who perhaps already own a working horse. You get to see a mixture of breeds at events like these and it may help you when you come to make the decision on what type of horse you would like to work with.
If you can get along to some of our events you will meet people already working horses in Forestry. They are always happy to talk about their work and can fill you in on all the pro’s and con’s. A few people offer training courses in Horse Logging and again these offer a taste of what it could be like but you really need to build on that before you go it alone.
BHL now offers a training program consisting of an intensive one-week introductory course followed by a 12 to 18 month period of placements with experienced loggers.
A good book to find is “The Horse in the Forest” by Hans Sidback. ISBN: 9157647623. More details at www.orionforestry.co.uk
It is not an easy path to choose and the work does not come easily but on the days you have your own horse working in a woodland it is just the best of feelings. So call us, email us, any of us will be happy to help.
Kate Mobbs-Morgan
For further information and assistance on becoming a horse logger, please have a look through the links below;