tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50659178379550315032024-02-19T01:55:18.129-08:00Welcome to Trojan Heavy HorsesTom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-7181728252735271672011-11-04T11:06:00.000-07:002011-11-04T11:20:33.311-07:00Horse logging courses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyofNd1BIGW_Bgeo0eCQ7TUzM_JdSB1prXKju2Dl4WI19ZoIiwI1cKLVF8FpRREqJBkSnq7a-AjqSBX0YKzuy1GP7vspZyiGseYdR1MQ8bW9_YjDipBbRQOcyi9WaYmEagW34hXDXWHlmU/s1600/tandem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyofNd1BIGW_Bgeo0eCQ7TUzM_JdSB1prXKju2Dl4WI19ZoIiwI1cKLVF8FpRREqJBkSnq7a-AjqSBX0YKzuy1GP7vspZyiGseYdR1MQ8bW9_YjDipBbRQOcyi9WaYmEagW34hXDXWHlmU/s400/tandem.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Horse logging courses</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<div style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Five day long</b></span></div></div><div style="color: #990000; text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One on one </span></b></i></span></div></div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span></div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">in a working woodland</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></i></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">ongoing throughout </span></b></div><div style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>November, December and January</b></span></div></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-58304771588824863662011-07-31T08:27:00.000-07:002011-08-02T09:59:23.927-07:00Sensitive sites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGFKfc1Rd8I9BpcsbjpR-JnBgpVjjQqtfxy4QBXA-RPApk7-C-SwcRFTnQiyBLdA3bkD-fm-hJMRFhRDwSJVtWiu0lAj_ZITL-34D5MoKZujSdqL-RWPqUhW50-v_GOvVGx-cOAt6LY_W/s1600/27-highlongshotofBrabant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGFKfc1Rd8I9BpcsbjpR-JnBgpVjjQqtfxy4QBXA-RPApk7-C-SwcRFTnQiyBLdA3bkD-fm-hJMRFhRDwSJVtWiu0lAj_ZITL-34D5MoKZujSdqL-RWPqUhW50-v_GOvVGx-cOAt6LY_W/s400/27-highlongshotofBrabant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Research conducted by Coford and Waterford Institute of Technology found that 'horse logging is suitable on smaller sites or where woodlands were sensitively managed'<br />
To read the full report '<i>Hardwood fuel from our new forests'</i> by Tom Kent and Seamus Dunne type <i>Bioenergy News 2008</i> into the search box at <a href="http://www.seai.ie/Renewables">www.seai.ie/Renewables </a><br />
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A good example of a sensitively managed woodland was Meikle Wood in Threaves Estate in Scotland where I worked fellow logger Jim Johnstone's <i>Brabant</i> (above) a larger breed of Belgium heavy horse alongside my own <i>Mountain Ardennes </i>(below)<br />
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The National Trust for Scotland had decided on horse power for timber extraction because this system would not only ensure the health of the standing trees but also mean the least disturbance to wildlife, their habitats and ancient earthworks within the wood.<br />
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With Threaves Castle in the distance another advantage of horse powered timber extraction is evident- the minimal impact of hooves on wet ground.<br />
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For a full account of why this system was chosen for this sensitive woodland click <a href="http://www.nts.org.uk/" style="color: #cc0000;">www.nts.org.uk</a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span> and then go into <i>News,</i> then <i>Press Archive, </i> then <i>2008 </i>to<i> </i>read <i>'Horsepower harnessed for Trust tree-felling'</i> 22/09/08<br />
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<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-small;">Photos: Karl Munday, Senior Ranger, National Trust for Scotland</span></div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-36003981988086807562011-07-13T06:48:00.000-07:002011-08-05T08:32:43.847-07:00Steep ground<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXig_hhMskZI9lCiopW-eh_WOq_TI-hpTXzMu4jRzC0DRrmLStn_I5e374JWvy3TDrGVCjN4OAeHYKNSDcSCwQYLQx9g-rru_JjyOmYb88_LXnbx-3ZmUe8qY4x47IUWdxcQMyjZZ9u91/s1600/Prince+109+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXig_hhMskZI9lCiopW-eh_WOq_TI-hpTXzMu4jRzC0DRrmLStn_I5e374JWvy3TDrGVCjN4OAeHYKNSDcSCwQYLQx9g-rru_JjyOmYb88_LXnbx-3ZmUe8qY4x47IUWdxcQMyjZZ9u91/s400/Prince+109+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
A job where a good logging horse is invaluable is on very steep ground.<br />
Here Prince, our stallion, hauls logs of up to a ton weight down a 70 degree bank and out to the roadside<br />
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</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos; Jennifer O'Sullivan </span></div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-77246412943114156572011-06-16T13:44:00.000-07:002012-01-29T15:13:10.511-08:00Windblow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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'Windblow' can be a major problem on high ground sites like this Spruce first thinning contract we are just finishing for another forest owner in the County Clare Wood Energy Project (CCWEP). It can be avoided by thinning the trees in a selective manner ensuring no straight lines are cut through the wood.<br />
When woods are thinned by machine this is done in straight lines. These straight lines leave tunnels through the plantation which can allow wind to move at high speed, building up enough force to knock over some of the remaining trees. This can lead to substantial losses in the crop.<br />
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The horses come into their own when extracting timber from such selectively thinned woodlands, as they can weave in and out through the irregularly spaced standing trees.<br />
On this job we are working <i>Ardennes </i>mares Chincha (above left) alongside her daughter Lisa (below)</div>
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This job marks a year for Lisa working in the woods since we started her logging last June (see earlier post 'Lisa's first day in the wood') She has filled out and is settled into her work.<br />
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Chincha is in foal again and kept fit by working light loads.<br />
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<br /></div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-75394240060119601142011-01-26T14:28:00.000-08:002011-07-31T17:27:44.096-07:00Media articles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitikuve73AXGs6GGNNIHJnxdvhRX0JwJc9MoOPDQiibjYw1_Zt5iSKZhxd9FNn2nt9hIHTmawH5ES1_hTpLOwcEccezE4UyEerT82-_jniLp7SkqVrHmCzxxqiqC5JOL5AvBwf499iE6lq/s1600/tuam-herald-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitikuve73AXGs6GGNNIHJnxdvhRX0JwJc9MoOPDQiibjYw1_Zt5iSKZhxd9FNn2nt9hIHTmawH5ES1_hTpLOwcEccezE4UyEerT82-_jniLp7SkqVrHmCzxxqiqC5JOL5AvBwf499iE6lq/s200/tuam-herald-logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6xtjD2vS3_l2TTfQ6NJJ4yn983B7Sy1ePNQD72zG_T7Q4p7aHqZhOSidczP_5YCT9J0wRO5C8su8BsAKQ3oEWEQ1rMXheEulyrDhOdexPCJ8ulbfeprWZK7rK4_ou3TiXEtTLuJG1vlq/s1600/Logging-Lisa-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6xtjD2vS3_l2TTfQ6NJJ4yn983B7Sy1ePNQD72zG_T7Q4p7aHqZhOSidczP_5YCT9J0wRO5C8su8BsAKQ3oEWEQ1rMXheEulyrDhOdexPCJ8ulbfeprWZK7rK4_ou3TiXEtTLuJG1vlq/s200/Logging-Lisa-7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Tom keeps 'Trojan' tradition alive"</i></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #990000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <i>Features,</i> <i>The Tuam Herald</i> </span>-<b> </b>8 December 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tuamherald.ie/?p=2279">www.tuamherald.ie</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3ImIVqEPc5xm54DXxB6kjwenWSd5KmJn-z5_Zntlmu_vx42UpV68nnXG9kvKXdp53BpqrTtMtdbXMp5tbRVqhpMwAxfzNcmOomEYqOrdQZznD8DmxCuDp_wTiRgKRRt9fnvDwSWELxMU/s1600/aprilcoversml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3ImIVqEPc5xm54DXxB6kjwenWSd5KmJn-z5_Zntlmu_vx42UpV68nnXG9kvKXdp53BpqrTtMtdbXMp5tbRVqhpMwAxfzNcmOomEYqOrdQZznD8DmxCuDp_wTiRgKRRt9fnvDwSWELxMU/s200/aprilcoversml.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"First ever heavy horse display in Ireland" </i></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: black;"><b> </b><span style="color: #990000;"> News, </span></span></i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Ireland's Horse & Pony Magazine -</i> May 2010</span><i><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><div style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://irelandshorseandpony.com/?s=first+ever+heavy+horse+display&searchsubmit=">www.irelandshorseandpony.com</a></div><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>News,</i> <i>The Irish Times </i>-</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"> 3 May 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e69138; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0503/1224269589770.html">www.irishtimes.com</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1ulTJL-w_vKTxaHKNmySxxSqHwiBedaodCH9PCaeUvG4mfft7KUNX47Og__qG8f9HLDy0DZvYeI1VFVTe8mHbfqXMyhzWFyo3f2L_gnJIttUSTKUiMsk_-yW2PWc6O_OpRdK3AG7F8Gd/s1600/7_todaysfarmMarApr2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1ulTJL-w_vKTxaHKNmySxxSqHwiBedaodCH9PCaeUvG4mfft7KUNX47Og__qG8f9HLDy0DZvYeI1VFVTe8mHbfqXMyhzWFyo3f2L_gnJIttUSTKUiMsk_-yW2PWc6O_OpRdK3AG7F8Gd/s200/7_todaysfarmMarApr2010.jpg" width="141" /></a></span></div><div style="color: #990000; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>"</i><i>Horsepower-The answer for many forest owners" </i></span></div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #990000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>by</i> Aine O' Callaghan, Teagasc Forestry Development Officer</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Teagasc <i>Todays Farm </i></span><b>-</b> March/April 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2010/7/7_todaysfarmMarApr2010.pdf">www.teagasc.ie</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenQZlwmgKIsOTjffnmU0PvRkumIvcpn4Q4HQfrBRb33t1GzrKzeFBuZaSR6SxGUz8rJVSrIkoVMkpxv7XtpYADE6Fj0NECLgVrzarATJY7J2FZQkhVrZkQiJA3xmgxpBLcqW6AhAJpDsb/s1600/Tom+Chincha+Esker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenQZlwmgKIsOTjffnmU0PvRkumIvcpn4Q4HQfrBRb33t1GzrKzeFBuZaSR6SxGUz8rJVSrIkoVMkpxv7XtpYADE6Fj0NECLgVrzarATJY7J2FZQkhVrZkQiJA3xmgxpBLcqW6AhAJpDsb/s200/Tom+Chincha+Esker.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Commercial horse logging today"</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Goforwood.info</span>- 3 March 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e69138; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goforwood.info/en/news.php?id=29506">www.goforwood.info</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraLRxrsHZpAhxgx7GkuUiu8c318q2gUSAx54d0L7JfdUfSowno6u0192a_UYRjM_t5Ffp1jixr9a6nyFul5s0n6WAo4Y8Jbf9HDRWm_dd8IAsEI4qCWCgAO0RdfRXhQd0UskkV9Saq5Qf/s1600/logging_227544t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraLRxrsHZpAhxgx7GkuUiu8c318q2gUSAx54d0L7JfdUfSowno6u0192a_UYRjM_t5Ffp1jixr9a6nyFul5s0n6WAo4Y8Jbf9HDRWm_dd8IAsEI4qCWCgAO0RdfRXhQd0UskkV9Saq5Qf/s200/logging_227544t.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Horse logging back in vogue"</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">by Catriona Murphy, Farming Independent, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Independent</i> </span>- 11 November 2008</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e69138; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.independent.ie/farming/news-features/horse-logging-back-in-vogue-1532708.html">www.farmingindependent.ie</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e69138; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJC7nRsVYTbzubiwIBeOTmIdl_M-o-Nwec6hQYvJyw_bQoqmyHj7GY60PGpXFfHIvW_5hOWIw-5JMYyOwqEnvt9t_5vJr0xyqyqSvDRNndsDUzeIFjPhFIaLeR02tpJqQMNPIRC2CjIxY/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJC7nRsVYTbzubiwIBeOTmIdl_M-o-Nwec6hQYvJyw_bQoqmyHj7GY60PGpXFfHIvW_5hOWIw-5JMYyOwqEnvt9t_5vJr0xyqyqSvDRNndsDUzeIFjPhFIaLeR02tpJqQMNPIRC2CjIxY/s200/cover.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>'<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hardwood fuel from our new forests'</span> </i></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #990000; text-align: center;">by Tom Kent, Waterford Institute of Technology and Seamus Dunne,<br />
Forest Service, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>BIOENERGY NEWS 2008</i>, Sustainable Energy Ireland</span><br />
<a href="http://www.sustainableenergyireland.com/">www.sustainableenergyireland.com</a><br />
(type<i> Bioenergy News 2008</i> into search box) </div><div class="" style="clear: both; color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8uF86EBLgBwR6uHUvt_TB8ZknRZPtz-fG1fU1kURnsC_ETrrHkkMtf7lw8VAdDXCz7KH1uel0s2OLIKPXhlNcPbCx_kOtq-naQwDRxMDVfviRGXxV20dGRuOVYO2qckNxSOBA7IMEBmr/s1600/vv+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8uF86EBLgBwR6uHUvt_TB8ZknRZPtz-fG1fU1kURnsC_ETrrHkkMtf7lw8VAdDXCz7KH1uel0s2OLIKPXhlNcPbCx_kOtq-naQwDRxMDVfviRGXxV20dGRuOVYO2qckNxSOBA7IMEBmr/s200/vv+001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Eco-echo from the past makes a comeback"</span></span> </i> </div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; text-align: center;">by Michael Viney<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, <i>Another Life</i>,<i> Weekend Review, </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>The Irish Times<b> </b></i>- </span>5 July 2008 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #e69138; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2008/0705/1215182325764.html">www. irishtimes.com</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-31244236913562965172010-12-22T13:28:00.000-08:002010-12-24T05:22:55.509-08:00Seasons Greetings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiFyKGV9Ybiy1cHNlDpykC7stDoUfWfn_nco5YQGp5QYF_Jh25X6flfhiHrvYqFsLr-Om11G6cMghatIW5JSoeOnZ6P7ItyBJCtLznq4GCdhDsrpWRO-t6p9FKpC7EiyiW3n8nCOOIxEn/s1600/Web+Prince+-+Martino++Newcombe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiFyKGV9Ybiy1cHNlDpykC7stDoUfWfn_nco5YQGp5QYF_Jh25X6flfhiHrvYqFsLr-Om11G6cMghatIW5JSoeOnZ6P7ItyBJCtLznq4GCdhDsrpWRO-t6p9FKpC7EiyiW3n8nCOOIxEn/s400/Web+Prince+-+Martino++Newcombe.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">from Trojan Heavy Horses</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><div style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Prince Von De Vosberg will be at stud for 2011 season. Watch the next post for further details </span></div></div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><div style="color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-89820792763191000832010-09-13T06:22:00.000-07:002012-08-19T03:08:53.805-07:00Forest initiative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6iQQVpCyzBWOeDMs-pXtNK6gqRLqLRFEfdq2Ba32i_CH9DhTnffV85oM47RRMNROrmbCoRV5lQqq-zGumkOsbILDEhH-wQAYncgm75NK9cd7LDbeWJlIbWb8nheaNwTJmaDBUXIzDqD9/s1600/lisa+and+woodpile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6iQQVpCyzBWOeDMs-pXtNK6gqRLqLRFEfdq2Ba32i_CH9DhTnffV85oM47RRMNROrmbCoRV5lQqq-zGumkOsbILDEhH-wQAYncgm75NK9cd7LDbeWJlIbWb8nheaNwTJmaDBUXIzDqD9/s400/lisa+and+woodpile.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The wood we are in at present was chosen for horse thinning because it is on wet ground which machine harvesters would find difficult to travel through and whose weight would churn the forest floor to mud.<br />
This particular wood is also susceptible to wind damage so a purely selective system was chosen.<br />
Good reasons for using horses to extract the timber rather than machines.<br />
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Our present logging job is for a group called CCWEP (County Clare Wood Energy Project) <a href="http://www.ccwep.ie/"><span style="color: red;">www.ccwep.ie</span> </a> which was formed to bring together small forest owners in an area into a cluster.<br />
This initiative makes it easier for these timber producers to harvest and market their crop operating as one unit rather than as individuals. Such a cluster is also more attractive to harvesting contractors.<br />
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Before planting commercial forests drains and ditches are cut through the site to enable the free draining of the soil. <br />
These drains are a major consideration when planning a harvesting job. Every extraction path must be planned with every drain and ditch bridged in a proper fashion.<br />
Bridging is a time consuming but important task and must be included in the pricing of a job.<br />
Small drains can be temporarily filled in with cut branches (brash) - which for the duration of the harvesting blocks the water from getting out of the woodland - so equally important is removing these bridges after the job is over to allow the drains do their job and prevent the forest floor flooding.<br />
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Larger ditches and firebreaks need to be bridged with green timber. Dug into the banks on either side of the ditch the timber is lashed together with ropes and finally covered in a thick layer of brash so to ensure horse and handler has a good grip for their feet when crossing.<br />
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These timber bridges do not cause any interuption to the water flow.<br />
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Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-81810186710753904372010-07-21T12:32:00.000-07:002010-07-21T13:11:01.084-07:00Felling and presenting timber for horse extraction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN0QJT61fRPpL1msTMOYhQ_vqNAz4EIGqA5rBrOGAWl0n2WyO5y3R8f3LU1kpf6WnNxcBlLnEfsVjSfqGbBVk4NEdaIGz7pU32udgnuCx0QcrnZdrYDubdm57EKgSK4NR5gvOcOGpwuuY/s1600/preparation+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN0QJT61fRPpL1msTMOYhQ_vqNAz4EIGqA5rBrOGAWl0n2WyO5y3R8f3LU1kpf6WnNxcBlLnEfsVjSfqGbBVk4NEdaIGz7pU32udgnuCx0QcrnZdrYDubdm57EKgSK4NR5gvOcOGpwuuY/s400/preparation+033.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Part of our business is firewood production. Here I prepare a mature Ash which was felled earlier in the year and left to dry out on the ground.<br />
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Now ready for extraction by horse it must be cleaned up. All its brash (side branches) are cut down into small lengths and cleared to one side or these will become obstacles which will trip up the feet of the logger and the horse.<br />
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Regardless of size, age or species of timber the onus is on the sawman to prepare the timber to be extracted.<br />
To ensure safe practice the chainsaw operator must clean off the felled timber and clear a path to it.<br />
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The thinning of this Spruce is no different. Often a tree is not leaning in the direction of the extraction path so a sequence of specific cuts and use of a felling bar (a long handled wedge) is needed to drop the tree in the right direction to reduce further man handling.<br />
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This particular felling bar doubles as a 'Cant hook' which grips the tree so it can be rolled or turned without strain on the sawman's back. <br />
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It is essential that all its branches are cut clean off because any one of these will snag in the earth causing more drag on the horse, which will ultimately reduce the payload.<br />
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The chainsaw operator should fell and present all timber in a correct manner for the horseman. As well as leaving the racks (extraction paths through the standing timber) tidy and free of all obstacles all felled timber should be pointed in the direction the horseman has chosen to go, placing all the brash out of the way in between the racks.<br />
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There are two ways to present the timber. If it is too heavy to be man handled out onto the rack from where it is cut down, then it should be dropped so the heavy end is pointed towards the rack. The area around the heavy end along with the space between it and the rack should be cleared of brash- so that the logger can leave the rack with the logging horse and be able to back the horse right up to the timber having no other work to do than to slip the choke chain around the trunk.<br />
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If the timber is light enough to be man handled out to the rack then it should be left in bundles, ideally with the heavy ends propped up on a small cross beam of wood as can be seen above. Even a small branch is effective in providing a gap between the ground and the timber so that the logger can slip the choke chain around the bunch without having to roll any of them about to get choke chain under them.<br />
This is the most effective use of labour.<br />
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A clear passage that is vital to ensure safe footing for horse and logger has the added advantage that can be seen on this rack which we extracted through by horse recently during heavy rain. Despite large volumes of rainfall the ground has been left in a perfect condition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioybfr1qFE30vUJswAVwyAH3t8KZwXSHCsoYUyQsJILVjct5ap-fxXFzEBZ0ITDqfAvIP1evhQlkI1uD_ZY9vgs02ZtLRGMELT6DUFlh8pVX5Ppy3cFpfH_rP4cSsREJ2EtH3Zr4JE5R3q/s1600/preparation+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioybfr1qFE30vUJswAVwyAH3t8KZwXSHCsoYUyQsJILVjct5ap-fxXFzEBZ0ITDqfAvIP1evhQlkI1uD_ZY9vgs02ZtLRGMELT6DUFlh8pVX5Ppy3cFpfH_rP4cSsREJ2EtH3Zr4JE5R3q/s400/preparation+003.jpg" width="400" /></a>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-55230629344768438902010-07-04T17:32:00.000-07:002010-12-21T05:02:21.167-08:00Heavy horses in Athenry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_u3Dn8Awskn5CtpMdwSXPMbK9hsfvh1-mlM_aX0xdJypPYkdV0OR-3a-xPwVRhOTS3cPyaPwqUru3C_wpVykA9eoaZBkg8x3kKajA_dI01bd5BxWgHLF2TrHyDvRqcZe6_b0rmt345cO/s1600/Shire+mare.+Athenry+Show+2010.+Photo%3B+Martino+Newcombe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_u3Dn8Awskn5CtpMdwSXPMbK9hsfvh1-mlM_aX0xdJypPYkdV0OR-3a-xPwVRhOTS3cPyaPwqUru3C_wpVykA9eoaZBkg8x3kKajA_dI01bd5BxWgHLF2TrHyDvRqcZe6_b0rmt345cO/s400/Shire+mare.+Athenry+Show+2010.+Photo%3B+Martino+Newcombe.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<i>Shire </i>mare at the Athenry Agricultural Show in County Galway today where -despite the adverse weather conditions- we had a successful display bringing together seven heavy horse breeds in the one place, the first time such an event was staged in Ireland.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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Some of the line up; from left to right,<i> </i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i></i><br />
<i>Irish Draught</i> with owner Eamonn Foy from Dublin,<i> </i><br />
<i>Suffolk Punch</i> owned by Ray Kerr from Northern Ireland,<br />
<i>Friesian</i> with owner Val Good from Dublin,<br />
then <i>Percheron</i> owned by Pat Maloney from Galway<br />
and <i>Shire</i> with owner Pat Murray from Roscommon.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Brian Gallagher and his <i>Clydesdale</i> stallion<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> My<i> Mountain Ardennes </i>shown by Paddy Rooney-</span><span style="font-size: small;">Trojan Heavy Horses crew</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OrFcZMzozHwmtH7gbjOTgNbVaAkRsHAEdkawFWvjUQtDjIokpw8sCI3YThyphenhyphenNJRRcp2SoE2I5Ilh5fa-Nuiv7wbktVnQe_6-Nlla-_Ft8JhadPPiSky7b413SaYzj_tdkpGOBKG9RG2_s/s1600/athenry+percheron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OrFcZMzozHwmtH7gbjOTgNbVaAkRsHAEdkawFWvjUQtDjIokpw8sCI3YThyphenhyphenNJRRcp2SoE2I5Ilh5fa-Nuiv7wbktVnQe_6-Nlla-_Ft8JhadPPiSky7b413SaYzj_tdkpGOBKG9RG2_s/s400/athenry+percheron.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Pat Maloney with his <i>Percheron </i>gelding<i> </i>which he works in forestry.</span></div><br />
I had not just chosen prime examples of each heavy horse breed but invited horsemen who were all experienced and professional handlers. This was evident on the day during high winds and squally showers which made the horses excitable and lively.<br />
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The upshot of which was a perfect oppurtunity to demonstrate one of the reasons we staged the display; to show to the general public that despite heavy horses being percieved as docile because they are large and slow moving, that given the right conditions they can be (because they are horses) alarmingly lively and light on their feet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHQ2ywUUiBCr7UFNwA1AsqIqWyTTPHTBW_r9tTmVX_dfVww_yFIB8ewDn8FqvcSguZc4pnYLBPx_JMB7MTKthSEgJ91dngY675LWVDgrey-jMvFxu6RO1iTypsZlPRT65SWihxwy5u9KV/s1600/athenry+show+132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHQ2ywUUiBCr7UFNwA1AsqIqWyTTPHTBW_r9tTmVX_dfVww_yFIB8ewDn8FqvcSguZc4pnYLBPx_JMB7MTKthSEgJ91dngY675LWVDgrey-jMvFxu6RO1iTypsZlPRT65SWihxwy5u9KV/s400/athenry+show+132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ray Kerr's <i>Suffolk Punch </i>mare shown by Dave Reid from Dublin.</span></div><br />
All experienced horse people know that the bombproof horse does not exist - whatever the breed- so for the sake of safety with the high winds, we decided not to show any heavy horses in vehicles or implements as originally planned, and instead show all seven breeds in hand or in harness.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">To mark this first gathering of seven heavy horse breeds in one place each exhibitor was presented with a sash and rossette by the Show Chairman Tommy Whelan.</div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div> The day went well due to the horsemens' skill and enthusiasm - some travelling from Dublin and Northern Ireland- at their own expense.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I would like to thank them all for their help and support.<br />
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All heavy horses were shown by people who work them on roads, farms and forestry- traditional horsemen who keep the future of working horses alive.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-9322405036559017452010-06-04T11:43:00.000-07:002012-08-19T02:55:39.524-07:00Lisa's first day in the wood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In previous blogs we have discussed the importance of having logging horses that are quiet and well trained to avoid any injury to either the logger or the horse.<br />
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Here is a great example- of one of our<i> Ardenne</i>s mares, not quite three years old, facing into her first logging job.<br />
It is vital that the logger can operate very close to the horse's hind legs- so a logging horse must be rock steady, completely trusting the handler. While trained and worked on the land for tillage operations, to bring a young animal like this into a forest for the first time can be daunting because of the closed environment, yet Lisa accepted her new job within the first hour which is testament to not only her training and her handling but the proven bloodlines of her sire and dam.<br />
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Above left is Lisa's dam (mother) Miss De Chincha, the <i>Ardennes </i>mare with the flaxen mane which has been seen on Ear to the Ground and Nationwide programmes on RTE, and has appeared in numerous national newspaper articles. She is a <i>Mountain Ardennes</i> whose particular bloodlines are considered exceptional amongst <i>Ardennes</i> breeders and horse loggers across Europe.<br />
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Lisa's sire Sultan du Bac (above right) is a lowland <i>Ardennes </i>whose confirmation Lisa is showing, being longer and taller than her dam. This stallion has won at many shows in Belgium and his progeny prove themselves time and time again in both forestry and farmwork.<br />
One thing Chincha and Sultan have in common is their kind and settled nature and willingness to work- a must for all working horses.Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-28064409356398964432010-05-13T12:31:00.000-07:002015-03-14T06:37:56.138-07:00Airfield in May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the past two weekends we were invited back to Airfield a unique urban farm in Dublin to plough and reseed 3 acres of old pasture in Murray's Field.<br />
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The pasture is being reseeded with a lot more clover so it will need less fertiliser, and was last ploughed by me in 1986 when I was farm manager there, when I planted beet in that field.<br />
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Being under grass for so long meant the sod was tough and the ground conditions were dry and stoney so we had our work cut out for us, not only to carry out the work but also to demonstrate to the public the ancient art of ploughing so rarely seen these days.<br />
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Traditionally one man had to be able to plough an acre a day or he was not considered worthy of hire. The same reason the field must be ploughed in straight lines- this is the most economical use of labour. The skill is that this task should be done by one man alone with two horses.<br />
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Ploughing with horses is not a matter of brute strength as the plough must be held light in the hands (which are needed to hold the reins to direct the horses), the ploughman is there to balance the plough, only applying force at the headlands to swing the plough across the grass, and to hold it down when it strikes a stone making it veer off it's line.<br />
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Keeping the furrows ( the hollows created by the sod turning over) straight is one of the hardest aspects of ploughing with horses because the second the plough jams on a stone the handles of the plough buck into the ploughmans ribs. Every stone, every hard cake of soil has a bearing on how the plough cuts through the sod- not to mention how each horse is pulling- so getting it right means controlling many elements. <br />
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I used a Ransome plough made in England about 60 to 70 years ago which had an additional bar fixed above it on one side to give the option of attaching an extra stabilising wheel when ploughing across the sides of steep hills- this was not needed in Airfield.<br />
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Airfield was always a commercial dairy and tillage farm and is unique in that it was always farmed by horse power right up until the death of the last Overend sister Naomi in 1993.<br />
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The pleasure children took in having hands on contact with heavy horses (the above group from Sacred Heart Senior National School in Killinarden at the foot of the Dublin Mountains) was evident throughout our recent visit, and very much fulfils Miss Overend's final wish that Airfield's house, gardens and farm should be kept as a working farm for the enjoyment of the residents of Dundrum and the education of the children of Dublin.<br />
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What makes this unique place work so well is in how it allows adults and children alike get close enough to ask us about the farmwork we were doing - all right in the heart of a city.<br />
Many were surprised to hear that to plough an acre a day with horses means the ploughman has to walk 11 miles behind the plough, something no modern farmer has to do anymore when driving a tractor - which ploughs up far more ground than the single narrow strip of sod called a 'scrape' that the horse plough does.<br />
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'How does the plough do this?' asked one girl keen to understand the mechanics of what was occuring, as the green grass field slowly, strip by narrow strip, was turning to brown soil before her eyes - and while we were looking for a way to describe how any plough works by turning the long strips of sod over, she answered her own question herself-<br />
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' It turns the grass sod across the field like the pages of a book turning from cover to cover'<br />
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Proof that our efforts were not in vain. <br />
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After turning over the sod with the plough we broke it up into smaller bits of earth with harrows which is a frame of metal spikes that act like a giant rake. <br />
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Then walking over every foot of ground using a 'seed fiddle' the grass seed was shaken across the land. This works by pushing a stick with a string tied to it (like the bow of a fiddle) which spins a metal wheel causing seed to be spread evenly across two yards of ground at a time.<br />
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The big difference in working land with horses as opposed to using a tractor is that not only is there less compaction of the soil but the horseman having to walk the ground gets an intimate understanding of the land he is farming.<br />
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Despite the advanced technology of farming with tractors, the tractor driver locked away in the cosy cab sees little, hears less and feels almost nothing. Though he does get more work done - it is at a cost- he is deprived from getting the feel of the land he is working.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo; John Kent</span></div>
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So though horse work is physically much harder than tractor work it brings an understanding of the land that comes only from hands on contact.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">For more about this unique place click on<span style="color: red;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.airfield.ie/" style="color: red;">Airfield</a><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">or go to the archive and open 2008 'Airfield Farm', 2009 'Heavy Horse heritage'. </span> </span></div>
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Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-73432038761141532942010-04-21T04:41:00.000-07:002010-04-22T05:26:52.562-07:00One man, one horse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw49yBxTqD60JAniZGaf6_uOm2vx2Dgloj98CjCoqGw85qpfJjCIbjGIeNgrk1-ttUBiA2M6d6E6kPOFcWMYA4LU3PaW2kqpvJ_itv5zeTxfyxCsrmxctr-w9tiD_9E74s3DGsoQtwEtI/s1600/rolling+barley+071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw49yBxTqD60JAniZGaf6_uOm2vx2Dgloj98CjCoqGw85qpfJjCIbjGIeNgrk1-ttUBiA2M6d6E6kPOFcWMYA4LU3PaW2kqpvJ_itv5zeTxfyxCsrmxctr-w9tiD_9E74s3DGsoQtwEtI/s400/rolling+barley+071.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Fodder crops like turnips- traditionally fed to cattle and sheep and pigs were always sowed by one man and one horse- the skill being in able to drive the horse along the furrow (the low ground between the drills) while keeping the turnip sower dead centre on top of the drill (the high ground) where the seeds are planted.<br />
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Such ingenious devices as this turnip 'barrow' or sower ensured a dribble of seeds was sown, the only disadvantage was that when grown the plants had to be thinned out by hand. Although manpower was plentiful during the work horse era a horseman had to be able to do such work on his own to be considered competent.<br />
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Any seed from tiny turnip seeds to large peas seeds could be sown with this barrow as there is a moveable disc which has holes of various sizes which can be moved into place to suit the size of the seed.<br />
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Inside the drum the seeds are separated by a tuft of bristles more often than not made of horse hair the horseman would take from his own horse when the origional tuft had worn out. <br />
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Drawn by the same <i>Clydesdale </i>mare as seen below with the roller, this turnip barrow was made in Philip Pierce's foundry in Wexford where much of the horse drawn - and eventually tractor - machinery in Ireland was made..Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-58461308645411579032010-04-12T13:00:00.000-07:002010-04-21T04:58:47.376-07:00Spring work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniJc1mq-c6MBTjO8OrX-pR5LEIj_xYQzB6xWt8l0JR3cVJXat0SHKCLpV69h3A0szYKhlIXywQYfX9nYrqDuf8UesrztgJ7W1jKBqFNajJGvB56ET6kRKUZJOwuWTrfARa2M06t5IwrlD/s1600/Rolling+barley+113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniJc1mq-c6MBTjO8OrX-pR5LEIj_xYQzB6xWt8l0JR3cVJXat0SHKCLpV69h3A0szYKhlIXywQYfX9nYrqDuf8UesrztgJ7W1jKBqFNajJGvB56ET6kRKUZJOwuWTrfARa2M06t5IwrlD/s400/Rolling+barley+113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Here we have Bonny a 17 hands high <i>Clydesdale</i> mare taking a break from timber work.<br />
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This is barley sown by farmer Paddy Rooney after he used a tractor to first plough and then rotavate his land at Rahard in Athenry, County Galway.<br />
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After this we used the horse to harrow down the clods into a fine seed bed and (once he had sown the seed using the tractor again) we rolled the sown ground using a stone roller pulled by the horse. This binds the soil tight around the seeds giving the emerging plants a firm base that they can get a good grip with their roots into.<br />
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This is a great example of how a tractor and horse can compliment each other on a modern commercial farm, which is the only way a working horse is viable on today's farms. The idea of running such a farm on horse power alone being neither practical nor economical.Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-89640164271309169272010-02-12T14:02:00.000-08:002012-01-29T13:38:09.612-08:00Ear to the Ground<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58HNjAnUG-HloPMZFbnelQVCpqo6lSomuJtmOvfScqEjHgR3kB6tCzNrN9VxKchDt9uscw9W7W4w3ItM6ps5KTg_rAXNpIyrmRKR6Y8YUgmhANbZgbnNDknyf4aIVoKdetRe_g0kcilpm/s1600-h/esker+panorama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58HNjAnUG-HloPMZFbnelQVCpqo6lSomuJtmOvfScqEjHgR3kB6tCzNrN9VxKchDt9uscw9W7W4w3ItM6ps5KTg_rAXNpIyrmRKR6Y8YUgmhANbZgbnNDknyf4aIVoKdetRe_g0kcilpm/s400/esker+panorama1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Esker Monastery and Retreat House just east of Athenry nestles on a wooded hill and was founded in the eighteenth century by friars living in the woods nearby. These were the few who had remained in the area after most of their order had left in 1574 when their abbey and lands at Athenry were confiscated during the suppression of the church begun by Henry VIII.</div>
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Further persecution in 1691 saw the close of a remarkable school these friars had established in those same woods, until in 1707 when they rented land between two lakes at Esker to finally establish a monastery, continuing to this day a religious tradition in the area going back to the thirteenth century. </div>
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It was to the door of this monastery that we went seeking a suitable woodland site to demonstrate horse logging for Ear to the Ground, RTE's hugely popular rural affairs and farming programme, who felt that such a skill and service would be of interest to their viewers.</div>
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As most horse logging is suited to difficult terrain many woodlands we work in do not lend themselves to bringing in anyone bar our own logging crew. We needed a woodland site that was both accessible to a camera crew and also had a variety of trees needing removal so we could show the full range of work we do.</div>
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Esker Monastery graciously offered us the use of their woods so we could bring the little known skill of horse logging to a wider audience, following the monastery's long tradition of being an educational facility, which has seen this religious community over the centuries have schools for both the poor and better off, at different times a private school, a Sunday school and a school that taught trades and farming skills- in fact Esker Monastery was the first agricultural college in Ireland.</div>
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Their woodland proved ideal to show how a working horse can go into a small wood and remove old or windblown timber with little interference to both the woodland floor and nearby residences. </div>
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As with all jobs our first step was to walk the entire site, earmarking work to be done and undertaking a Risk Assessment so as to ensure that all work carried out could be done in a safe manner. None of the mature Ash and Beech at the woods surrounding edges needed tending, whereas there was a lot to be done among the main body of Spruce. </div>
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We identified what timber was to be drawn out by the horse with little cutting, such as long fallen trees whose decaying trunks criss cross the woodland floor making it difficult to walk through.</div>
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Most of the timber to be removed was wind blown trees, some of which had not fallen all the way to the ground but were hanging on standing trees.These had to be cut down and then cross cut into lenghts about 12 feet long.</div>
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Removing these trees opens up the canopy allowing more light down to the woodland floor, which encourages to thrive the hundreds of seedlings like the occasional Beech (above) shining out</div>
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among swathes of Ash and Holly seedlings that cover the woodland floor.</div>
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The level of natural regeneration in this wood is astounding. </div>
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Some of the windblown trees had fallen over with the rootsballs tipped out of the ground </div>
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creating caverns big enough to fit a man and dog inside.</div>
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More again had snapped close to their base, </div>
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while others snapped high up in the canopy, and now their broken off stems were held above in a web of ivy. <br />
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With hazards and work identified we began preparing routes into the Spruce so the horse could get access, cutting out standing dead trees and bringing down overhanging boughs and trunks.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo; Ella McSweeney</span></div>
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Though most trees were cut down and then cross cut into small lengths before being attached to the horses chains, there were a couple we pulled away full length from where they hung leaning against other trees. This mimics an actual horse logging technique to lessen the effort on the horse by deliberately felling a tree so as it catches on the other standing trees, never falling all the way to the ground. With less of it's trunk in contact with the ground there is less friction when the horse starts it's pull, so reducing the effort the horse has to exert to get the load moving. A perfect example of this was caught on film on the day.<br />
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The Ear to the Ground camera crew spent the entire day with us detailing every move we made from morning till dusk. It proved a long and worthwhile day broken up with a fine feed laid out for us by the hospitality of the monastery - many thanks to Father Vincent Kavanagh and Father Michael Cusack.</div>
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Ear to the Ground presenter Ella Mc Sweeney did try her hand at logging with the horse, and how she got on can be seen in the Ear to the Ground programme which can be viewed on the internet by going into RTE's website <span style="color: red;"> </span><a href="http://www.rte.ie/tv/eartotheground" style="color: red;">http://www.rte.ie/tv/eartotheground </a><br />
Go into RTE Player -Enter <i>Ear to the Ground</i> into Search and open 23 February 2010<br />
(Programme 16 of Series 17)<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo; Ella McSweeney</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Trojan Heavy Horses</b> Crew- back row, left to right-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Paddy Rooney (Sawman), Tom Nixon (Owner), Martino Newcombe (Horseman)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Ear to the Ground </b>Crew -front row, left to right </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kevin Fagan, Ella McSweeney, Niamh Kennedy, Tiffany Hodder</span></div>
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<br /></div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-14301776285133269032010-01-29T10:29:00.000-08:002010-01-29T12:04:09.124-08:00Working Horse Course<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeCRNBTxNGDK5DtWYLPQbMZ1Bz63a8c1YP8-_J83hfCqFkogR04cLF8diAiVrJJM12X00wQPAtOtOP2ZEVvwngP9MkFYBZF6v9RYIdFZKcJ6drbFu_ppg53jHfZA7UvP98cizUUcYhyphenhyphenTr/s1600-h/will+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeCRNBTxNGDK5DtWYLPQbMZ1Bz63a8c1YP8-_J83hfCqFkogR04cLF8diAiVrJJM12X00wQPAtOtOP2ZEVvwngP9MkFYBZF6v9RYIdFZKcJ6drbFu_ppg53jHfZA7UvP98cizUUcYhyphenhyphenTr/s640/will+crop.jpg" width="572" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Working the Land with Horses</b></span></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A one day introductory course </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>to the art of organic farming using horses</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This course takes place in</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Ballinreeshig Nature Farm, </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ballygarvan, Co. Cork</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>If you would like to book a place please call 087 13 66 373</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Course costs 70 euros including warm lunch</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>For further information visit <a href="http://www.willandaway.ie/">www.willandaway.ie </a></b></span><br />
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</div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-53194272006386827672010-01-01T01:33:00.000-08:002010-01-08T13:51:54.224-08:00New Year, new start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYYXc76DTcWApyT3OuP36LNZadw8XN26Wm5FJKGuuJORfBR9YsjEmExJdcaiVQCj_xc2cYTv31k9Qw6faJ1uq5nus-snQPnq1U_ZHpD3YX1-mKaAE2GlIdRE7nWdRN1cEALbpYHe1wQjp/s1600-h/december+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYYXc76DTcWApyT3OuP36LNZadw8XN26Wm5FJKGuuJORfBR9YsjEmExJdcaiVQCj_xc2cYTv31k9Qw6faJ1uq5nus-snQPnq1U_ZHpD3YX1-mKaAE2GlIdRE7nWdRN1cEALbpYHe1wQjp/s400/december+093.jpg" /></a><br />
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This winter, so the old people are saying, is the coldest one in Ireland since 1947- and it feels every bit of it in County Galway where we have just moved to<br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It took an axe and sledge to break through ice so we could get the horses safely across a turloch to their new pasture<br />
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Initially we came to Galway to complete some timber contracts, but the interest that forest owners in this region have shown in our logging service combined with us securing more contracts here, has prompted us to move our entire operation to Connaught.<br />
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Another advantage to run the business in this county is it's geographical location. Being in the centre of Ireland means we can better service clients countrywide- made all the easier because of Galway's new road infrastructure.<br />
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We have chosen Athenry as a new base because of the cluster of timber related trades and resources around this town, which we will detail in the coming year along with various exciting programmes that Trojan Heavy Horses have initiated. <br />
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A hardy but bright start to the New Year.<br />
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</div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-26309392154300200622009-12-23T13:50:00.000-08:002009-12-29T13:10:46.113-08:00Season's Greetings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk-0dHshGYDmZWaa7wbKJW9uY4rxGm-hIkZ5luhJA9RLlBmegxMvCVwZfYllHsPkWDsEOldsMPZbxUfHkb-Ytls8acevms9TB37w3zEz4JqNC3YCuSYQDfRM3XpRAOAddKdkQHkVYltN0/s1600-h/2009+Christmas+card+hitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk-0dHshGYDmZWaa7wbKJW9uY4rxGm-hIkZ5luhJA9RLlBmegxMvCVwZfYllHsPkWDsEOldsMPZbxUfHkb-Ytls8acevms9TB37w3zEz4JqNC3YCuSYQDfRM3XpRAOAddKdkQHkVYltN0/s400/2009+Christmas+card+hitch.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-87840063707843606442009-11-07T13:56:00.000-08:002010-06-15T10:47:03.552-07:00Powerful horses<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYSpcKBThPMoTsguzp03MWcbmja1IGnfKggHUNKpPDJBcI0s_Fd7UWi_sE7VnhiWTA2MGVBLYM-tTAmVTsANDxI1tDJYS3YXyDBoXlHh2ZxM6xIntLwdVCgku_KRQwLw2FYUh5VBNl0Y0/s1600/Copy+of+Copy+of+Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+018.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407813955940809282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYSpcKBThPMoTsguzp03MWcbmja1IGnfKggHUNKpPDJBcI0s_Fd7UWi_sE7VnhiWTA2MGVBLYM-tTAmVTsANDxI1tDJYS3YXyDBoXlHh2ZxM6xIntLwdVCgku_KRQwLw2FYUh5VBNl0Y0/s400/Copy+of+Copy+of+Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+018.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Trojan Heavy Horses returned in September to Airfield in Dublin where they had not worked since 1993 to plough, harrow and set rape seed which is being grown as Spring grazing for the farm's lambs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE_kD9wacOTRT-yYQitkqKREFUUwpkYQXeWRRLebeo-ihQEXIHVmQnMCd1dV2-ZSXQfxxjKlVaAMUOlEjbp3MaC5qlY4-fjf-KTHK1OgzP54DvnAy-wB9TmKbUOsgcofnC1VJa2I9sPk4/s1600/Copy+of+Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+037.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407967041958454610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE_kD9wacOTRT-yYQitkqKREFUUwpkYQXeWRRLebeo-ihQEXIHVmQnMCd1dV2-ZSXQfxxjKlVaAMUOlEjbp3MaC5qlY4-fjf-KTHK1OgzP54DvnAy-wB9TmKbUOsgcofnC1VJa2I9sPk4/s400/Copy+of+Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+037.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
First the grass was ploughed over and then a harrow was used to break up the clods of earth into a fine '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tilth</span></span>' which gives seeds the best chance of growing.<br />
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Many people today no longer understand the process by which ground is prepared so food crops can be grown - and very few have seen it done with heavy working horses- so we attracted a lot of attention from Airfield's visitors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNu8hBAYYAIm-zmtesL0oOO3O4UPJcsqTjMAwwEK6nM6QuMSeyPSh56rMLpTky-_5oF_BY5YlhD2EfWfLCLOmLvUKXppOZZIYlZ-ehiyo02hgGKg55OmfqekM_gTkd5SvChyU2qhS3Xjwi/s1600/Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+092.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407815462359238882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNu8hBAYYAIm-zmtesL0oOO3O4UPJcsqTjMAwwEK6nM6QuMSeyPSh56rMLpTky-_5oF_BY5YlhD2EfWfLCLOmLvUKXppOZZIYlZ-ehiyo02hgGKg55OmfqekM_gTkd5SvChyU2qhS3Xjwi/s400/Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+092.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
So popular were these gentle giants on the day that Airfield has decided to have our working horses come back to this urban farm on a regular basis, which we will do returning with different types of heavy horses and equipment over the coming seasons to demonstrate traditional Irish farm practices.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2LkQdRU6EIF8VRk3yy7s5bmjGUDNtB4FmzNty-nATu86Kve-olHnAE2zkLbSGXDkrvWfcHgYKY6kTNXWl2oTMjgUgq0wWVz0l8ywnGaIChYPQvRHdmtJGX245rQsXl9jEFcMS-Fckc-L/s1600/Copy+%282%29+of+Copy+of+Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2+%281%29.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407811740767283762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2LkQdRU6EIF8VRk3yy7s5bmjGUDNtB4FmzNty-nATu86Kve-olHnAE2zkLbSGXDkrvWfcHgYKY6kTNXWl2oTMjgUgq0wWVz0l8ywnGaIChYPQvRHdmtJGX245rQsXl9jEFcMS-Fckc-L/s400/Copy+%282%29+of+Copy+of+Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2+%281%29.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
The pair we used in September to plough, harrow and seed were Scottish <span style="font-style: italic;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Clydesdales</span></span>, a 12 year old and a 9 year old, both geldings and 18.1 hands high.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL6HfChh7sesvm-QFyX3PaIG8iYmWa_ekvOx-eajyjPwXFtl2p5Ixkba7JNH8TqNDMQdpRMp7NzRhsgaadKOLoSxvbdmDahKGDhvwdoZ2KDLIaicTwDC00GnSHSvf3WL4znk6R-DMb_LG/s1600/childreneavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+058.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407822060349329762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL6HfChh7sesvm-QFyX3PaIG8iYmWa_ekvOx-eajyjPwXFtl2p5Ixkba7JNH8TqNDMQdpRMp7NzRhsgaadKOLoSxvbdmDahKGDhvwdoZ2KDLIaicTwDC00GnSHSvf3WL4znk6R-DMb_LG/s400/childreneavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+058.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Towering above the heads of the crowd - enthralled by the size and calmness of these <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">magnificent</span> horses - who were delighted in getting close enough to pet their massive heads.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNHxwQdkFs7ON6rODJBPLWtK84sEfJ2mO15t2EEanHUl2BQMHPtZKYavwwP6C6JPMEykLwsPihgEsXluyelt5PJjIpHbxxK5sn34xyLwcYMnbvYLP97Z-anFqftl93MGjaXRf0stNfwPD/s1600/Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+085.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407815035490357010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNHxwQdkFs7ON6rODJBPLWtK84sEfJ2mO15t2EEanHUl2BQMHPtZKYavwwP6C6JPMEykLwsPihgEsXluyelt5PJjIpHbxxK5sn34xyLwcYMnbvYLP97Z-anFqftl93MGjaXRf0stNfwPD/s400/Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+085.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Just to be in the company of horses has a positive and measurable effect on peoples' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">well being</span> recognised throughout the world in non - riding equine programmes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAai2ZUAuw4Q_EhKeAswA6liky6rhyphenhyphen0nKqpvDl0qwGWYiLISVNoifh9TIJJ6IpIUOEcj8hMFjVSep2Rnv9Gq5QD0jdIkmM7ur21oA71a4Zp39HYpj2yxvGIQ-jXzJyQ2_tk2jw6Of5Qof/s1600/Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+079.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407814541621233922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAai2ZUAuw4Q_EhKeAswA6liky6rhyphenhyphen0nKqpvDl0qwGWYiLISVNoifh9TIJJ6IpIUOEcj8hMFjVSep2Rnv9Gq5QD0jdIkmM7ur21oA71a4Zp39HYpj2yxvGIQ-jXzJyQ2_tk2jw6Of5Qof/s400/Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+079.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
As the sheer size of heavy horses does seem to magnify this effect it can be a useful tool for educational purposes whether in demonstrating traditional agricultural practices or modern forestry techniques.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vrmgajxJrYgKw1yVGXj-oh6WDbG2p4PLJq53Mgb4OsJ4qHk-UypTr4y46EHunw_2a7kUZcCnBbErUa3DZulxlfyTR20UE0wsLSQJtTo6x6LhS0JMLDfaaQZeJE9e3hHRidO7iP1TnVmb/s1600/Copy+of+Copy+of+Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+015.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407813165055280338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vrmgajxJrYgKw1yVGXj-oh6WDbG2p4PLJq53Mgb4OsJ4qHk-UypTr4y46EHunw_2a7kUZcCnBbErUa3DZulxlfyTR20UE0wsLSQJtTo6x6LhS0JMLDfaaQZeJE9e3hHRidO7iP1TnVmb/s400/Copy+of+Copy+of+Heavy+horse+ploughing+13th+of+sept+2009+015.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
How we relate to our environment has never been more relevant than today, so practical demonstrations of our farm and work horse tradition is one way for urban children to understand how their rich rural heritage is linked to modern sustainable farming.<br />
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As not every child will be able to visit an urban farm any school interested in having us visit them with our heavy horses can contact me, and we will tailor make a memorable demonstration to fit into their science or history <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">curriculums</span></span>.<br />
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</a>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-67187498385228324122009-10-14T16:14:00.000-07:002010-01-22T15:01:04.798-08:00Weddings and promotions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFi6DmYAVvgnmYMamg3GShXY0nGpo9_28duqpOmU_5TLpZYPBTF1yIjv6ouSwGVNSHwcsaZvsd3vT3IC41N-byzg6gNx164VnuydM6mlvRP2fpLMuKML9AhJ_3129ikEMVeKzWRMV6ww98/s1600-h/carriage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397932987959815458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFi6DmYAVvgnmYMamg3GShXY0nGpo9_28duqpOmU_5TLpZYPBTF1yIjv6ouSwGVNSHwcsaZvsd3vT3IC41N-byzg6gNx164VnuydM6mlvRP2fpLMuKML9AhJ_3129ikEMVeKzWRMV6ww98/s400/carriage.jpg" style="display: block; height: 208px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Travelling nationwide we have a selection of harness, farm machinery, wagons and carriages undertaking everything from film and promotional work to providing an elegant carriage and pair for weddings.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTn-hi5GCRzgmhnCZ_HzRSuE9SkDWUQ7cnDeGeMxi1SJpgTXx8cTfx48t4S_Mhu7hZi_3zQTUohCw4_NGNxnSFYewrNIJrVAf12WpwJvz71WeJNXReXEPJPPiXriE-As4tEYi7DmmMtyTn/s1600-h/tom+on+red+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTn-hi5GCRzgmhnCZ_HzRSuE9SkDWUQ7cnDeGeMxi1SJpgTXx8cTfx48t4S_Mhu7hZi_3zQTUohCw4_NGNxnSFYewrNIJrVAf12WpwJvz71WeJNXReXEPJPPiXriE-As4tEYi7DmmMtyTn/s400/tom+on+red+cart.jpg" /></a><br />
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Our heavy horses prove as eye catching whether at agricultural demonstrations driving a flat cart<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd3ULu1YXMch69wwmQSzMZkmHaOGtOuGpT8c1WpcDBkYSXslYe9HtxjiMHA3ympxEZibthLT5sR6GSIDvG_PtN1sD8sVnthtAyCaguZd4zuVcwd93JZTqaOMbYqv1Vm6gstsFZlxPtnG1/s1600-h/seed+drill.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398400138314659522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd3ULu1YXMch69wwmQSzMZkmHaOGtOuGpT8c1WpcDBkYSXslYe9HtxjiMHA3ympxEZibthLT5sR6GSIDvG_PtN1sD8sVnthtAyCaguZd4zuVcwd93JZTqaOMbYqv1Vm6gstsFZlxPtnG1/s400/seed+drill.jpg" style="display: block; height: 262px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
to sowing seed with a box drill<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIpnQy2td8McHJULxd0RgvJW332WdPZ5hSgOEoTJNrnenj3vBlmNfGSiZNew1MDHyCbRmesC-dHARq1QeNsrS7hHO-zb6gsQUW0PEDmO4qp9rwDQ1kEIixQ9Y1euApSOoy9EcZBKNSzGU/s1600-h/Forking+dung+from+red+cart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398019850362876274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIpnQy2td8McHJULxd0RgvJW332WdPZ5hSgOEoTJNrnenj3vBlmNfGSiZNew1MDHyCbRmesC-dHARq1QeNsrS7hHO-zb6gsQUW0PEDmO4qp9rwDQ1kEIixQ9Y1euApSOoy9EcZBKNSzGU/s400/Forking+dung+from+red+cart.jpg" style="display: block; height: 259px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
or forking manure from a Scotch cart as part of a re-enactment of rural life in Ireland of the 1930's.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrtN4LUqPQshwQMj6EGbev_hxZfrHY7TTfYn6qf9iiPIRIXNoCaxr46JEUzG1kAgOrC2TEVplLdCqYYHfr9cd9hRKtJzagPR0g2mOeJBr02fvHPOQSEnswfUgZWcEonIXs5X2szLxKZwR/s1600-h/Holly+on+red+dray.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397932873724199922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrtN4LUqPQshwQMj6EGbev_hxZfrHY7TTfYn6qf9iiPIRIXNoCaxr46JEUzG1kAgOrC2TEVplLdCqYYHfr9cd9hRKtJzagPR0g2mOeJBr02fvHPOQSEnswfUgZWcEonIXs5X2szLxKZwR/s400/Holly+on+red+dray.jpg" style="display: block; height: 270px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> On this occasion pulling a traditional delivery dray at a country fair with the next generation on board, my daughter Holly.<br />
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Whatever the event, we have the working horses, equipment and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">personnel</span> to provide a memorable experience.Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-37360171014874349942009-08-25T12:20:00.000-07:002015-03-14T01:07:15.374-07:00Heavy horse heritage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Eighteen years ago the Garden Field of Airfield Farm, Dundrum in Dublin being ploughed with a pair of <span style="font-style: italic;">Irish Draught/Clydesdale</span> cross bred mares.<br />
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Taking over as Farm Manager in 1980 I worked this urban farm using draught horses in keeping with Airfield Farm's heavy horse heritage- not only were the sheds full of horse drawn machinery, but in the stable the painted name plates of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Overend</span> family's farms working horses 'Kitty', 'Nellie' and 'Nora' still hung above each stall.<br />
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Continuing this tradition in such a unique environment inspired me to form my company 'Trojan Heavy Horses' which has since seen us undertake every road, field and forest operation that can be done using the might of these <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">magnificent</span> animals.<br />
This year on Saturday and Sunday<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-size: 180%;">September 12 <span style="font-size: 78%;">and</span> 13</span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 180%;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 100%;">'<span style="font-size: 130%;">Trojan Heavy Horses'</span></span> </span>will return to<span style="color: #990000; font-size: 130%;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 180%;">Airfield</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"> </span>to plough and till a field so it can be set with seed, restoring this farm's unique heavy horse heritage.<br />
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'Tilling' the soil is done to produce a good '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tilth</span>', the name given to a fine bed of earth that seeds can grow in. This is achieved by breaking down the large clods of earth (traditionally left exposed over the winter to frosts) which are the result of turning over the grass sod by slicing through it with a plough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVY5chVTuf2vYk9sCA05uEP7MgWaigqdfHFBhFuhabuLk9pncuZ8jUUSBQpSFpz2sZuo_6BZloDsyQJew6gFFEjlb6fDiVsb131zr6ER9EjwxdhtHj2uvO5pCPT7qRlL3GNvnsMVs32MPK/s1600-h/plough+one.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVY5chVTuf2vYk9sCA05uEP7MgWaigqdfHFBhFuhabuLk9pncuZ8jUUSBQpSFpz2sZuo_6BZloDsyQJew6gFFEjlb6fDiVsb131zr6ER9EjwxdhtHj2uvO5pCPT7qRlL3GNvnsMVs32MPK/s400/plough+one.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374387982057782210" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rqi64iJGSjFVAdTP4XsPx6a5xrhXC0bI01YugkSe6EJsllgwML52whjQCnxqr59f0Z53ica8R8ePsS0c-nCCQediJVAr7kZKbI1xnWLwGvLt66_AohwKl3fN-QvOvr_cupDizrmXJNb_/s1600-h/plough+two.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rqi64iJGSjFVAdTP4XsPx6a5xrhXC0bI01YugkSe6EJsllgwML52whjQCnxqr59f0Z53ica8R8ePsS0c-nCCQediJVAr7kZKbI1xnWLwGvLt66_AohwKl3fN-QvOvr_cupDizrmXJNb_/s400/plough+two.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374387878574617474" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 216px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS6q-ApnuFuuR9GBJ7OoO9ODkTMri1HaZTgi_Tfz34L5AvaWUFNDjtFkznpU86M3QjGJHPT4iMz-wT3_Mo6eb9IcMnHpG4RsPwpr96A0jCB1IBZEGWDESwWxtALWi6O0xUmoXMANFzJ4C/s1600-h/plough+four.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS6q-ApnuFuuR9GBJ7OoO9ODkTMri1HaZTgi_Tfz34L5AvaWUFNDjtFkznpU86M3QjGJHPT4iMz-wT3_Mo6eb9IcMnHpG4RsPwpr96A0jCB1IBZEGWDESwWxtALWi6O0xUmoXMANFzJ4C/s400/plough+four.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374387697955165458" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;">Pages from Henry J Webb's ' Advanced Agriculture' of 1894</span></div>
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For more information on Airfield Farm go to the Blog Archive on the top left of this page and open the November 2008 posting titled 'Airfield Farm'.Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-68250490751333065292009-07-12T06:02:00.000-07:002011-11-18T10:19:02.950-08:00Traditional rural skills and crafts<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374395639646453058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYKnFn7-i9DvA0RpCh1w3foPGWB6UgnZMz4rikX6smUxkQEw-7DY4Dx-fbEHjRCQnL48Pu2DYW2pxewwdTEFqtJV9UflIQZn0Cte1vHjDaD4bac_tEfj6K65qWyojWrX-ZDtWJCSq15cO/s400/hand+tool.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 295px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
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</div>Recently while trying to get in contact with a craftsman that we had met at an agricultural show (for a client whose timber we were drawing out) we noticed in general how hard it is to track down various woodland trades and skills- many are virtually unknown outside their own circles.<br />
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Consequently I decided to host a directory that should, by improving communication between us all, increase all our businesses and at the same time show woodland owners the many <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">possibilities</span> of how they can manage or profit from their timber.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zi-6rVxZrkdJwAUaMK6vc6h4eVEwfQcFmy_kvZduWAwGGssYq01NTNADQujOnt5PV1TgcFivwfBEpd0UXZkteBNyW_XKDDad-1gUOTIwRiY0Xw9hWNofqd5QTHDr1deLpTMzFk2b2_gA/s1600-h/_EU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zi-6rVxZrkdJwAUaMK6vc6h4eVEwfQcFmy_kvZduWAwGGssYq01NTNADQujOnt5PV1TgcFivwfBEpd0UXZkteBNyW_XKDDad-1gUOTIwRiY0Xw9hWNofqd5QTHDr1deLpTMzFk2b2_gA/s400/_EU.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">An Iron Age dwelling called a </span><i style="color: #b45f06;">Crannog</i><span style="color: #b45f06;"> being reconstructed at Brigit's Garden supervised by Forester and Woodworker Steven Burke from Athenry-</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><a href="http://www.brigitsgarden.ie/" style="color: red;">www.brigitsgarden.ie</a></span></div><br />
<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Conversations</span> between those <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">initially</span> contacted about such a directory resulted in the decision not to restrict this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">solely</span> to woodland related businesses, but to include general <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">traditional</span> rural skills, crafts and produce.<br />
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If you have a skill, craft or product that you consider relevant you are welcome to e-mail me an image (photos, logo or business card) and a description along with your contact details and I will list it on this page. My email is<span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 100%;">tomnixonheavyhorses@h</span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 100%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">otmail</span></span>.c</span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 100%;">om</span><br />
This service is free.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scroll down for the following;</span><br />
<div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;"><b></b><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-weight: bold;">Forester and woodworker</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #666666;">Nature Farming </span></b></div><b><span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> - Self Sufficiency Courses </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> - Working Horse Courses</span><br />
</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-weight: bold;">Wooden gates, post and rail <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fencin</span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-weight: bold;">g</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-weight: bold;">Native trees and hedging </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">-Rustic wooden gates and brackets<br />
-Charcoal and </span><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" style="font-size: x-small;">firewoo</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;">d<br />
<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"> -Hedgelaying</span></span>, stonewall and </span><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">earthbank</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> repairs</span><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><br />
<div style="color: #666666;"><b>Horse logger based in England</b></div><br />
</div><br />
<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>------------------------------------------</b></span></div></div><div><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold;">Forester and woodworker</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Steven Burke</span><br />
Tel. <span style="font-weight: bold;">087 798 4209</span><br />
email <span style="font-weight: bold;">stdebu@gmail.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">''From tree to timber frame house-</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsSM2bPm_o8IhxySVzd0ShHhC0SFgNOKUsIzOLiTK3Qj6q94Yb_y_eQZKLRN4hBpR36MrYN7GZ3zbdI1_t9kTLODo8xK9AZyiQivrUk6LLtnBxob6z9GWLGWTB7k2_ljImGHIVvTSGW1H/s1600-h/Steves+Brigit%27s+Garden+crannog.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376225676391757186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsSM2bPm_o8IhxySVzd0ShHhC0SFgNOKUsIzOLiTK3Qj6q94Yb_y_eQZKLRN4hBpR36MrYN7GZ3zbdI1_t9kTLODo8xK9AZyiQivrUk6LLtnBxob6z9GWLGWTB7k2_ljImGHIVvTSGW1H/s400/Steves+Brigit%27s+Garden+crannog.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;">Interior of The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Crannog</span></span> in <span style="font-style: italic;">Brigit's Garden</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Roscahill</span></span>, County <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Galway</span></span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Steven Burke is a forester and woodworker who also operates his own sawmill at home.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">His set up enables him to cut logs into suitable timber sizes and use them</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> for timber frame constructions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgh-nZ9FQ4BPOzlWTRrBb6mR4Fw4vVtoyaKrwE9NIKuxQxcFQOJffoeTpmxrIv225Bs3eJeD2GWP5XA9JGp-8BlsRQHfcoe_Bow7T4ZpMsT6-CV-9BmNKgSt8w7JXVm-j7ArLIAL52j6a/s1600-h/Steve's+chalet.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376225571036585826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgh-nZ9FQ4BPOzlWTRrBb6mR4Fw4vVtoyaKrwE9NIKuxQxcFQOJffoeTpmxrIv225Bs3eJeD2GWP5XA9JGp-8BlsRQHfcoe_Bow7T4ZpMsT6-CV-9BmNKgSt8w7JXVm-j7ArLIAL52j6a/s400/Steve's+chalet.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 332px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">So far his buildings consist of Chalets, Workshops, Offices, Potting Sheds and Treatment Rooms.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppea_yOzSOgts5dqaC7oDW0UiviTrtny5uHl4SzaXhVEZV6dn5hLPQqtTOTVibCiMFMb0VYBnZ3vXzAO55LUzgDLVk7ujYCKrCj7mVjvTNnqxPVw3ZBhNS53fHm1xuof9E5i87yMaDW6g/s1600-h/Steves+table.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376225471107430002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppea_yOzSOgts5dqaC7oDW0UiviTrtny5uHl4SzaXhVEZV6dn5hLPQqtTOTVibCiMFMb0VYBnZ3vXzAO55LUzgDLVk7ujYCKrCj7mVjvTNnqxPVw3ZBhNS53fHm1xuof9E5i87yMaDW6g/s400/Steves+table.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">He also builds decks, playgrounds, gates, Rustic furniture - anything that can be built from wood.'</span>'<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbpLYa-uMMxiZw_w-Y2ix5BgqvL3wT1obTUoojKHvTB1a769UMN2L7Vi-zvTlEGoumT-y-tiIG67-D_2aqQLRy_Ewhtvu33bdiIwitTTttpWY8i12eFluX_85JfFs7GA9qB-MA6NDa8TL/s1600-h/Steves+wood+cabin.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376225332030004850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbpLYa-uMMxiZw_w-Y2ix5BgqvL3wT1obTUoojKHvTB1a769UMN2L7Vi-zvTlEGoumT-y-tiIG67-D_2aqQLRy_Ewhtvu33bdiIwitTTttpWY8i12eFluX_85JfFs7GA9qB-MA6NDa8TL/s400/Steves+wood+cabin.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 259px;" /></a><br />
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To see details of course on ''Woodwork and Construction of Traditional Wooden Building'' click below;<br />
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<a href="http://www.grampusheritage.co.uk/TICATEC%20Ireland.htm">www.grampusheritage.co.uk/TICATEC%20Ireland.htm</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.grampusheritage.co.uk/TICATEC%20Ireland.htm"><br />
</a><br />
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<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Nature Farming</b></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: #990000;">Self sufficiency courses </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: #990000;">Working horse courses</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: black;"><b>Ballinreeshig Nature Farm</b><br />
Ballygarvan, County Cork<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>website;<span style="color: red;"> </span></b><a href="http://www.reeshignaturefarm.blogspot.com/" style="color: red;">www.reeshignaturefarm.blogspot.com </a><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_sdvW4xY5XHG7c666UC6_5zm4Hjm57oo3S9OFm5goXDp3Iwh6or3u4JpBL0USNWO4lTJgRznlhWT6RGKbscr1Iq5tEN3z5G7aIISuBFGJLKfh5Noy1MhPIb0d7ujBfJNmgeW59R6T3ww/s1600-h/Working+horses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_sdvW4xY5XHG7c666UC6_5zm4Hjm57oo3S9OFm5goXDp3Iwh6or3u4JpBL0USNWO4lTJgRznlhWT6RGKbscr1Iq5tEN3z5G7aIISuBFGJLKfh5Noy1MhPIb0d7ujBfJNmgeW59R6T3ww/s400/Working+horses.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<i>'Striving to create more awareness about self sufficiency and promoting biodiversity in the way we farm with nature. Ballinreeshig Nature Farm provides many opportunities for people to learn more about the true values, and importance, of an ecologically sound approach to the way we live our lives.' <br />
</i></div><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold;">Wooden gates, post and rail fencing</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Paddy Murray</span>,<br />
<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Moorpark</span></span></span> Sawmills <span style="font-size: 85%;">Est 1947</span><br />
<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Birr</span></span></span>, Co. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Offaly</span></span></span> Tel. <span style="font-weight: bold;">05791 21245 </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">087 7442168</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0aHA2YuYoussNCZYK3nOw1V36V50bxSg0OcuPVrI0tFCaC92ZLtxfXsG6BPOhd-Yh0W1qgVMu1Iq9_JosPiesfHbYUWX24DA9yDX40mx2jyQd73V7uvPQ26jvbsEL2L9VjPBg-e-U007/s1600-h/larch+post+and+rail2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374333862475739186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0aHA2YuYoussNCZYK3nOw1V36V50bxSg0OcuPVrI0tFCaC92ZLtxfXsG6BPOhd-Yh0W1qgVMu1Iq9_JosPiesfHbYUWX24DA9yDX40mx2jyQd73V7uvPQ26jvbsEL2L9VjPBg-e-U007/s400/larch+post+and+rail2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 227px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 332px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">''Hand crafted from Irish Larch this adaptation of the </span><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" style="font-style: italic;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">zig</span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">-</span><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" style="font-style: italic;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">zagging</span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">, early American split rail fencing offers the same rustic look but uses much less timber as all the posts are mortised and all the rails are tapered to fit into them, making it one of the easiest f</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ences to</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> build,</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> making it perfect for D.I.Y.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Each piece is hand crafted from Irish Larch which is known for it's strength and durability. Using only Larch from sustainably managed woodlands these gates (hand crafted to you</span><span style="font-style: italic;">r</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> own design) and fences require minimal maintenance and no chemical pres</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ervatives - a unique and 100% natural product.''</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG84-AWrrJbgiL8ZRRqHpCKsKTK84xn8E-Nm4vJpmQDDeUMVg7d-JsoTVUWaoTT6EIXLzU-qMc50UyRt9jZCfQBb-f12but_gWuHMlulKlpWpop8eRZouvP9Fq_CNXSTdMYxQvfaKWqYco/s1600-h/larch+gate2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376209893986413202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG84-AWrrJbgiL8ZRRqHpCKsKTK84xn8E-Nm4vJpmQDDeUMVg7d-JsoTVUWaoTT6EIXLzU-qMc50UyRt9jZCfQBb-f12but_gWuHMlulKlpWpop8eRZouvP9Fq_CNXSTdMYxQvfaKWqYco/s400/larch+gate2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 228px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 336px;" /></a><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Native trees & hedging </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rustic wooden gates and brackets</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Charcoal and firewood</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Hedgelaying</span>, stonewall and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">earthbank</span> repairs</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Niall <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">McKenna</span></span></span></span><br />
Tel. <span style="font-weight: bold;">086 3061248</span><br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">''Woodland Heritage-<br />
my aim is to protect and enhance natural native woodland and plants principally through regeneration and replanting of native stock in appropriate locations and soil suitability.<br />
All seed is from local provenance where possible and grown outdoors so as to maintain hardiness and ensure survivability under Irish conditions.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Most of the main species are available, as are all of the native shrubs and plants which can</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> make <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">a very</span> useful and attractive hedge or boundary. A compl</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ete delivery and planting service along with aftercare and maintenance is available.<br />
Trees or shrubs can be supplied <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">barerooted</span> or in biodegradable pots at 1, 2 or 3 year old.<br />
All planting is done with hand tools (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">ie</span>. spade) to minimise <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">damage</span> to existing vegetation particularly in existing woodland.<br />
<br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB6ODeY5B5i6zXhrCiBG_o1eu2iuHdgpKPq9MQI9MhILcqM-YmJ7gUhQ9lrU6s52zC33IYuaD1qoLK9QALwKCfLWakgfyfH3It1f4LCKh04qlXrjju0hD9ylxsJleUV0bXmliVHT29-5P/s1600-h/mckenna+tools.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379980042395876786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB6ODeY5B5i6zXhrCiBG_o1eu2iuHdgpKPq9MQI9MhILcqM-YmJ7gUhQ9lrU6s52zC33IYuaD1qoLK9QALwKCfLWakgfyfH3It1f4LCKh04qlXrjju0hD9ylxsJleUV0bXmliVHT29-5P/s400/mckenna+tools.jpg" style="display: block; height: 129px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
Much of our ancient woodland was protected by some form of enclosure to limit access to grazing animals - both wild and domestic. Dry stone walls or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">earthbanks</span> were installed and maintained where no natural boundaries existed and eventually these tended to develop into natural hedges.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
We can also undertake dry stone wall and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">earthbank</span> repairs, gatepost fitting or stone pier building <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">and</span> fit rustic wooden or metal gates. H<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">edgelaying</span> is another service provided during the dormant season.</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
Finally, any surplus timber (after <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">hedgelaying</span>, thinning, pruning) can be turned into firewood, charcoal or craft material - if suitable.''</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000;"><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Horse logger based in England</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="color: #cc0000;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAheULFFXtlO056DzevQU0J2j9no85eEdWzYyxUQ1nku6NyZHg9GWD93FhkvWTUW5dL5u664MG_U8SevJlUamgkV-mdLuJyc5mpXBdN_G1LRY_k97oYagh8foyxLiyg_2MDvLoyezN-PWx/s1600/Copy+of+11-Doug_Joiner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAheULFFXtlO056DzevQU0J2j9no85eEdWzYyxUQ1nku6NyZHg9GWD93FhkvWTUW5dL5u664MG_U8SevJlUamgkV-mdLuJyc5mpXBdN_G1LRY_k97oYagh8foyxLiyg_2MDvLoyezN-PWx/s400/Copy+of+11-Doug_Joiner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Doug Joiner </span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Heavy Horses/Childer Wood Heavy Horse</i>s,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> Hill Farm, Stanley Hill, Bosbury, Ledbury,Herefordshire, HR8 1HE, England</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Phone; <b>(+44) </b> <b>01531 640236 </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Mobile; </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>(+44)</b> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><b>07773 900751</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Website ;<b> </b><a href="http://www.heavyhorses.net/" style="color: black;">www.heavyhorses.net</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Email; <b>doug@heavyhorses.net</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> '<i>'I have been a professional horse logger since 1993 and am a woodland manager and qualified trainer.</i></span></span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> I work for statutory, national and local bodies, various woodlands and wildlife trusts and owners of small woodlands. I manage Childer Wood and uses horses for all the work ;timber extraction, scarification, fertilising, bracken and bramble control as well as moving the tools and equipment. I believe very strongly in the future of the working horse, in it's flexible power and delicacy.</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">It is a truly appropriate power source for the ultimate low impact timber extraction system, handling all types and sizes. A well trained horse and a professional contractor team led by a horse logger can only assist in the growing , management and harvesting of quality timber.</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">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.</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> I offer training in horse logging, horse work and woodland management; in groups and individually.</span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> I also demonstrate horse logging at shows across the country. </span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">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''</span></span></span></i></div><i><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"></span></div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-61072098602161025212009-07-04T13:45:00.001-07:002012-08-19T03:02:29.571-07:00Larch<div align="center">
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Crusheen Co. Clare working on our current contract Martino Newcombe - who trained with me in heavy horse handling at Airfield Farm in 1991- extracting pole length Larch thinnings along a main ride in very wet conditions. If this had been done with a machine the ride would have become impassable, but because of the low impact of the horses we will be able to use this ride to extract timber until the end of the job. The surface damage is so light that this will be green again in three to four weeks<br />
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At the landing the poles are cut into three metre lengths and stacked ready for sale. Larch is a valuable tree in that it is tougher, stronger and more durable than any other conifer than Yew. It grows six times quicker than Oak and being impervious to rotting and insects is used for railway sleepers, bridges,pit props, pilings, boat building, fencing and gates.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Hay and corn</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjJW0EHEBddW0npYFqKenpLSaIqRhiTUWWpyIjZIXCJOIOSGILtgbQRjGS9kvbuehp18EQkS7L7vWsA3Zlb0Kg6yuDWBx7MwI0SvUn-VFs0sK9-o5J2Ari81H_JF6daltG-yYIj2-n5vk/s1600-h/crop+reaper.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354720102351456002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjJW0EHEBddW0npYFqKenpLSaIqRhiTUWWpyIjZIXCJOIOSGILtgbQRjGS9kvbuehp18EQkS7L7vWsA3Zlb0Kg6yuDWBx7MwI0SvUn-VFs0sK9-o5J2Ari81H_JF6daltG-yYIj2-n5vk/s400/crop+reaper.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 330px;" /></a><br />
Kerry in 1993, when I was Horseman on Muckross Traditional Farms demonstrating how a ' reaper and binder' is used to harvest corn as part of Muckross's depiction of farming life in the 1920's and 30's. </div>
<a href="http://www.muckross-house.ie/"><span style="color: #990000;">http://www.muckross-house.ie/</span></a> </div>
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This piece of equipment cut the corn and tied it into handy sized bundles- sheafs - which had then to be stood upright in the field to dry out. Only then could the grain be separated from the straw stalks which was stored in heaps.</div>
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The working horses drawing this reaper were my <i>Irish Draught/Clydesdale</i> mare and <i>Shire</i> stallion, which we won the Birr Cavalcade the previous year with, pulling a restored C.I.E. wagon filled with bales of straw- the modern method of storing straw.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356154079903195346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy-QvMTSsW5Bv4ngLp0wtmkBpRXfxYJBxrtbNnCJNN48FIKGvRdB5puAbDz75DlsuWtfQc_Oe7Eh7as328dFuMkH_gUuhZFfynTMe7-gEonDrDmbyFQoNHgVyjzBeqa4ro9gciSsMtlGj/s400/bIRR.jpg" style="display: block; height: 184px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div>
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Corn is any type of grain such as wheat or barley that is used as food for humans, the edible part being the seed head while the stalks become straw used for bedding livestock.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzja5eflM8Kdn6Phw0jUWuEbhXMMpg79kJjKJjerMnkbTvmyzGIcmxD-DHsJWFrRRns8rLBCH7KcTymyHuPE6inna_mDZErHBgDE7gCilAb6NQhRpR88DKGo_Xezr3Nrh01FCFu3enBtpQ/s1600-h/proud+pair.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380300993113450930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzja5eflM8Kdn6Phw0jUWuEbhXMMpg79kJjKJjerMnkbTvmyzGIcmxD-DHsJWFrRRns8rLBCH7KcTymyHuPE6inna_mDZErHBgDE7gCilAb6NQhRpR88DKGo_Xezr3Nrh01FCFu3enBtpQ/s400/proud+pair.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 273px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Hay is grass that is cut and dried so it can be stored - saved- and later used to feed livestock during the winter. In the photo below the Lakes of Killarney in the National Park are visible in the distance beyond where I was cutting hay with a ' finger bar mower'.</div>
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The invention of a horse drawn mowing machine meant one man could do the work of many men who would have had to cut this long grass by hand with a scythe. The mature grass when cut is still full of moisture so to make it into hay it must be turned over so wind and sun can dry it out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD2DmQfXTiRdl4eza0Q3WJg6slGGiHpgp0fIaTluIltJ-u_60htYAQeC5iKFEIjQ114fGWFzj6RoUHuaDnRuvoz3i_dtK5JH5PEcehn1yow9zfH38qsbL9hqNzYhOUlVKjqa1aIwe0OGr/s1600-h/haymower+behind.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380299896848629474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD2DmQfXTiRdl4eza0Q3WJg6slGGiHpgp0fIaTluIltJ-u_60htYAQeC5iKFEIjQ114fGWFzj6RoUHuaDnRuvoz3i_dtK5JH5PEcehn1yow9zfH38qsbL9hqNzYhOUlVKjqa1aIwe0OGr/s400/haymower+behind.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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This was usually turned by hand with forks though some farms would have used a horse drawn 'hay- maker' pictured below.<br />
Both hay and corn must be dry before they can be stored so making them is always at the mercy of the weather.</div>
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The following pages from Henry J Webb's <i>Advanced Agriculture</i> of 1894 gives a detailed account of the types of horse drawn machinery that were used for making hay and cutting corn.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354952664905199234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF82nb745QFJHmX8S3-dPQW6g4-NjDTr2R7IL0spHHG_mmWDxkJZQq5uw8NTgALsN-aviauzmHctivvmtqX4R_hbW560M4gPA16jm_jmEdgH0SlPZjymVCQYZYH5RJm33fCWTyZFrgpxdo/s400/h00.jpg" style="display: block; height: 165px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHObM66Vve9o6ErjpmMLdIaBfyGkfE8_C-rDmbDqBuhN9QeFjkS9VDAy3GrIfzrfM22BB8iq9TqUPa7pptgCf9suKP_JDtL8H67qR9IIu-TELI8UBbPaLO5u8gRmYtSj2aElZZK90xUAdo/s1600-h/Mucckrosos+harvest+postcard.jpg"></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354731712547594066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbc87bhoi1enHw_QMgswhlrFn1TAUtGtmAD7qkmCWd2I9zkFI930O3CDsu7bKMWR7dHxn2yZOzlBKaAuXJShA6wpxvU9rL_AFk9vr5shusq75MJq_sb38KfeFVeSgemt8lW1xSWRpSrDV/s400/h6.jpg" style="display: block; height: 208px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354732055180640162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXN4VSvM3CCOploMpYXwX693mF1WOPwhwytOlHcjD1W7pdjjg8OCnE7AsNUEOLPl8U4BcQaGvCusAONcB73F0cVT2DhccpR0Z2mYDz8znmeGkM6HZA1hiG2_-rgGgz3v4Bh1IeEI7l1A2/s400/h7.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 372px;" /> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354951349450966882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbzzs1B4hlUXjv3KPSQtLxEDmg-L1b0GqvwTI0NubHnipOiqUYnp8hYyZTwBGi8RRMy7sbyWtuM87XORCOT3LL3ajUwn1U_gKtvMIxyz8rPSLnjGjwYCQ7Wr1MYK_wIIdSYqj508XVJIm/s400/hay+3+new.jpg" style="display: block; height: 394px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354737110792785874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDQlWr5oxrKEgewTxtfb0THWJlnn-mM_3aPU0Lbj8h6DJWe3tYhhHuk_ubdfaN8QCB2kswxBsjDyJKxHF09HIgrkgtNdCFAurXN03v7WJVA5IuAGXXaxLXNDFPvQflNp8TnAMZbWVMTKf/s400/H9.jpg" style="display: block; height: 279px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354734968557571858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0u68_7rq1A9uFGzw60tsZDCixWo5jfoyY5lMK_92u7r-ngsxAels4q9Xr7q_PV4gcNw8FEo5_dFHqFsTkJlnrcsz8OAHQrxuKHGXIp6QiFYy_OZ5IEYVWWBSXXo78jtVQCfIDpGknnBo/s400/H10.jpg" style="display: block; height: 336px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354735280293936450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMdfaEfiueToTP4kSw-7wVsNhmmISEHNE4S3xWnuZth0kYgfHFJ9QLGAu6djdvqAo04aHVoBXJL1DGEOU9JBlZAKlw5KUlf0H440Y7YU8LMiuFfxKCv4sxLf5SCox3_sU-4ohUhfEVql0/s400/H11.jpg" style="display: block; height: 244px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-28671408739959373992009-03-27T14:51:00.000-07:002011-02-25T08:48:05.352-08:00Harness<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qQBi3hc91kQfJ1-N4paDjApDTHLMEjD2D02xkzSA1Qe8_O763twGC6syxzFTVOjdOtA0nQuQs2CvXiAmj6448KZArd8vpXSsp6IeLDkuEZYwECUMsbXjSjmWAttf6fXibe3qQxLGEBJm/s1600-h/24+Traing+Domino.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317988916726987634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qQBi3hc91kQfJ1-N4paDjApDTHLMEjD2D02xkzSA1Qe8_O763twGC6syxzFTVOjdOtA0nQuQs2CvXiAmj6448KZArd8vpXSsp6IeLDkuEZYwECUMsbXjSjmWAttf6fXibe3qQxLGEBJm/s400/24+Traing+Domino.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
'Domino' a young <i>Shire </i>getting his first lesson in draught work.<br />
To shift any load be it a dead weight or a vehicle, the power of a working horse is harnessed by connecting it to a load through a complicated system of leather, ropes and chains called 'harness'.<br />
Harness differs to suit the vehicle, equipment or amount of horses.<br />
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When turning a horse for fieldwork these chains rub tight around the horse's flanks and legs so the first lesson a young horse gets is a gentle build up of both pressure on its sides from the chains, and pressure on its shoulder from a weight.<br />
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This is best done by having the horse pull a tyre which is soft on the backs of it's legs should the horse step backwards - a hard object like a railway sleeper might spook a young horse - and a tyre also gives an even pull unlike a sleeper which will hop on uneven ground. </div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318187938480138898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH32zKbeWl_fFL6Dabe5By0SxSlk-1k4-SZ0qfM-IpPNxMxA8g2bqUHinLLmhc5P1_QA8wA8iDKW4Yz5tebIZW8EMpC9L2Usunx8zNJEkIfBlAF64k_vj2BQ_E8oOfpekz5YxTI53iqlxu/s400/Noe_horse_collar.jpg" style="display: block; height: 183px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 180px;" /> <br />
<div align="center"><span style="color: #996633;"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;">Photo: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_collar"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 78%;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_collar</span></a><span style="font-size: 78%;"> </span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #996633; font-size: 78%;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">One piece of harness that is always present is the 'collar' which sits just above the shoulder around the neck.</div>Loads are moved by the action of the horse pushing forward into the collar.<br />
Collars are traditionally made of leather and blanket stuffed with straw or hair, and act as a pad to protect the horse's neck from being damaged by the metal 'hames' .<br />
The hames are hooked into the chains running back to the equipment.<br />
In the past the hames were often made of wood.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317989146483186306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv-eE97_Pb1SXPdHhqYdQVA8swRApvQMAbVSUnSJdvS1qxZljfS8oKbJ9Tx3BVj5G3n7sVJjSBPBpyszlzgt7qj__PN1WNW9eudNG8sbMaDAAmGKu5LSVUznFEAyTSkoffnxGfFb_ybdj/s400/training+Connemara+pair.jpg" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
This pair of Connemara/Thoroughbred cross bred mares I have been training for a client over the winter have a surprisingly good <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">temperament</span> for this type of cross, and are coming along well. Full sisters, 3 and 5 years of age, they are being trained to be driven under a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wagonette</span>.Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-25993541895921776992009-01-01T03:01:00.001-08:002011-03-01T14:00:09.330-08:00A Shire Horse<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavZSCmysmotxLZSHRnP0nDWPhEybDIE5eWBuW_C42uspVWKRc9CGrNe8DMuIpfn7FwASg4yVy7o4UH25fGjz-iqd6vL5K-pGK69lfhm-C0wYWgZMgWhogB7wPAfzcBpaBfMZtsDT-7HV2/s1600-h/The+Shire+stallion+%27%27+Lucky+Lad%27%27.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286279159953497938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavZSCmysmotxLZSHRnP0nDWPhEybDIE5eWBuW_C42uspVWKRc9CGrNe8DMuIpfn7FwASg4yVy7o4UH25fGjz-iqd6vL5K-pGK69lfhm-C0wYWgZMgWhogB7wPAfzcBpaBfMZtsDT-7HV2/s400/The+Shire+stallion+%27%27+Lucky+Lad%27%27.jpg" style="display: block; height: 309px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
' Lucky Lad, a Shire Horse ' painted by H. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Crowther</span> around 1914 shows all that is prized in this, the largest of the English heavy horse breeds; long legs, proud bearing and heavy feather (hair on the lower leg).<br />
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Height is judged where the shoulder meets the neck, and described in 'hands' which are four inches each, so a horse that is 17 hh (hands high) is 5' 8'' high at the point of it's shoulder.<br />
The mother and father of any horse is referred to as it's dam and sire.<br />
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</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300408859739582674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-y7YhToVneKIPaTnbhzl7A7N-2nU45-siekfzlsXwoum24NXdduEolFfQ6A7t32ohe3_EpRMfFVXzbXM7K48EnF-hsW4_PHWDOLfoOXaDEWaWsaQk9nrHglLuwgbRcQFHbSijGpT42vbO/s400/Domino+crop.jpg" style="display: block; height: 353px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
'<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nashs</span> Domino'-one of the young <i>Shire </i>horses we are training in - rising four years of age and should make 17 hands high.<br />
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His breeding;<br />
Sire - '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Moorefield</span> Joseph' (Premium Stallion)<br />
Grand sire - '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hillmoor</span> Prince Charles' (Super Premium Stallion)<br />
Great grand sire- '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hillmoor</span> Enterprise' (Super Premium Stallion)<br />
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Dam - '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Trem</span>-Y-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Wyddfa</span>-Sue'<br />
Dam's sire - '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hillmoor</span> Enterprise'<br />
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Domino's sire '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Moorefield</span> Joseph' was bred by well known breeder Ray Williams from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Lancashire</span>. While not the biggest of <i>Shires</i> at 17 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">hh</span>, '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Moorefield</span> Joseph' bred many show winners, and what is most important to me - bred super working horses. <br />
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Blessed with good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">temperament,</span> a willingness to work and please and very good legs, feet and general conformation -I see Domino as one of the best <i>Shires</i> I have owned. His grand sire and great grand sire were both Super Premium stallions and both National <i>Shire </i>Horse Show winners on many occasions.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302222248649757650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxUP966KXqJ1Kwbv8DdLKnkWVz1mH0xfiL8I5cbBuMXglBsKUNLspCRcpH2BSaYVuKt_axAWM15vSzNjnidjRh57qmX5DwM_xauK5VNsdZ-jjfTQYTIHC_VmeF_aNWuzFeuXmYidMGrcA/s400/Hillmoor+Prince+Charles.jpg" style="display: block; height: 292px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<div align="left">Grand Sire 'Hillmoor Prince Charles' with his owner Mr. Tony Bull, a noted breeder of heavy horses, from 'Arclid Shires and Clydesdales' in Cheshire, England. </div><br />
Domino's great grand sire '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Hillmoor</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Enterprise' was</span> thought to be the best <i>Shire</i> stallion in the world for a quarter of a century, and as he is also Domino's dam's sire, this young horse will definitely be one to watch out for in the future where Trojan Heavy Horses are working or showing. <br />
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Below is the breed description from Henry J. Webb's 'Advanced Agriculture' of 1894, written when heavy horses like <i>Shires </i>were still the most common form of traction in England.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365731157612067938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVrv5DSfZNl8v09Iesvb4-JsUCzuHfp6goHEeb06e9s0aX1WJTlWeiWC1QV6sur3XMh6Ml2j3CsDYtG8n1XVRa02HiOEQj0fhyrIt2iNKGFfb343kD7zbGfU0neu156tEHK2trFnkYKHk/s400/shire+0.jpg" style="display: block; height: 271px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365732946235230242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eW-PBrdYvMKvCSzPnMTLEJBPg2rJ9FGxAwopKFzOUgDDTKuFg4aQlAPIPk1zAkWhtLxXeBLg8TylGbsJximE2CAVkuEaKq3aOhJqAQrUhEqFOfc50E2M4jfOq5KyoJtcJfnfiVwlXZp4/s400/shire+oo.jpg" style="display: block; height: 222px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365727965957938226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdneF4aXLQVFTmzwhlZjNyXYOfrUmNxbLTc3XpV3F5yBXPpadz7x__OKTyfbTRjxMJDObxg9F3bHo32xDSIGZSKv1483cwVp_rzm9TTg9aMyAcrlcw-C1B899_IJ1-rbbFCmIPoa8XAwDR/s400/shire+2.jpg" style="display: block; height: 142px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365728095142798562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblwVoYb0Jw806Jq9u5GrDdlt-OBKf5FVFWoy6WQv2r_Ir7hu-WXKyW6DmuI9bSBQ8E5T_3v1d7n63ZUPy4porIrKM4SLC6b5CWwYcrKf5b5dcyhJ_YIDTuXlpV0BjOhRl9TGkaoUsNEvs/s400/shire+3.jpg" style="display: block; height: 375px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365728183973772146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA_Lr98T0-qn6v5ZF5DGfDYOf5KpsUp9RPVq93ZfaOc0O0xZNJ2HfUWABs_hvdTVPSmmP7bm8O4P_pO1hReQxkTe5hVySkV1hEtapiIqPx97G-1edxyDDfyMbEvsbkSbFjJoR_OaNie3R/s400/shire+4.jpg" style="display: block; height: 157px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065917837955031503.post-45802158329820607072008-12-21T02:21:00.000-08:002009-08-22T22:17:35.057-07:00Midwinter<div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282193346226395650" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 242px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj02cCC6MzvHtabS2oxkoW4E8G5TAZhCsWfMrn9eGi7w4GkqY8ybGqVuQUt48gyJmqn9aqQSNpX6bVG0aM8RHWzwHmcDRpGgaKPfeVa_VPDJLs5Q6xYW7Rp8hqRUkNlq_c40YzsbfWFtQ/s400/16+Stables.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Shortest day of the year with the least light to get things done outside, and a welcome rest between logging contracts. </div><br /><div>No better time to take stock and prepare for the coming season.</div><br /><br /><div>In our stable we have two young black <em>Shires</em> we are breaking in to meet the demands of our forestry, wedding and promotional work. </div><br /><div>In the new year I will post details of their progress.<br /><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">Shire</span> breed developed from different strains of heavy horse (noted for their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sometimes</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">excessive</span> size, great breast, large muscular thighs and fairly short legs) bred throughout midland England, from the Fens in the east to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Staffordshire</span> in the west. Though there were many colours this breed was first called <span style="font-style: italic;">The Old English Black Horse</span> until the name <span style="font-style: italic;">Shire</span> was settled on in 1883.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDYn2BO50w6zvRZZE0QvffetkYB3BG_9qq3U53xbrJZoEGoFIrgF4A4kCYsB_gxqiejX9o3alVjlyqKcIOYQc6KsYnnPtG3PxFdXLYW6cvdac_Slv15YFgmyIeLoVoT9pdhm7cSVNNbyt/s1600-h/old_engblk_horse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDYn2BO50w6zvRZZE0QvffetkYB3BG_9qq3U53xbrJZoEGoFIrgF4A4kCYsB_gxqiejX9o3alVjlyqKcIOYQc6KsYnnPtG3PxFdXLYW6cvdac_Slv15YFgmyIeLoVoT9pdhm7cSVNNbyt/s400/old_engblk_horse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372560860661965474" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:78%;" >'The Old English Black Horse' by William <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sheils</span> c.1840</span><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Tom Nixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16236180500793321050noreply@blogger.com