Here are a few pictures of me and my mule Sam skidding logs on a cold Montana day this Winter. Joined by friend Dan Aadland with his draft horse.
Getting ready for the day.

Hooking up to the log.



A big no no getting directly behind your animal while moving logs. If the animal should spook the log will go right over the top of you. I am just learning so this was a good experience in not what to do.

Picture of Dan's mare.



Dan going to pick up some logs.



Sam coming back after dropping off a load of logs.



Taking a breather with the critters.



Dan with his mare after a hard days work.



Last log of the day. Everybody seemed to have fun and no accidents. Nice to be able to use critters for what they were bred to do.

Very nice to see that ! Here in the Catskill Mtns there are many patches of woods that really need careful thinning .A horse or mule would be the best way ! Here with lots of black bear people riding in the woods prefer mules as they , unlike ,horses ,don't freak ut at the sight of a bear.

Nice cap!

My father-in-law used to do that with teams of big mules back when they were draining swamps in southeast Missouri. Way back when.

A slight technical error. It was the wife's grandfather that used the mule teams.

He's on the left in this pic using a log wagon down in southeast Missouri. Hard times.

Show some pictures actually skidding logs. Wrap a chain around a log and hook it to the single tree and go. It is even better with a team.

Will neat picture and yes that is your cap and wallet In my back pocket !!

Dang it Tom your making me want a couple mules pretty bad!

Used horses to do a little bit of logging

My Dad use then for a lot logging and farm work. My uncle kept a team for logging.

Both grew up with horses for all their early days of farm work

My Dad and uncle both said a tractor is a lot nicer to use and easier to take care of

I grew up breaking a lot of mules and horses. Our mules were out of ranch mares, with Spanish Jacks, small and hot..
I will probably never own another mule, but I have seen a few good ones but a good horse is my idea of a better choice to get work done. To each his own however, and I don't use horses or mules to farm or skid logs, just use them to pack elk and deer and sometimes hunt on, but I prefer a good horses for that as I find horses easier to get along with.