Horse Logging

Horse logging in the Mohawk valley, Oregon.

Frank Vaughn with white hat on right. Other two men not labeled.

This is a great photo for examining how the horses were rigged as a team. Each horse is wearing a standard pull collar, the same they would use when pulling any heavy load. If you look closely, can see that each horse is hooked to a separate pulling bar called a whippletree. Each horse also has a strap cross-linking the bit in its mouth with the collar of the horse next to it. This allowed up to four horses wide (any wider and you couldn't pull unless you were on a wide road) to pull a log as a team.

The logs have had their bark removed, or mostly removed (as in the case of hte large log laying cross-wise in the photo). this was done by hand using an axe or bark spud (also called a peeling spud or just a spud). This was make the logs easier to drag and easier to slide on pole roads/chutes.

If you can identify either of the other two men, know the date or the location of this photo, please comment.

Done