Fitzmorris Horse Logging

Horse transport available

FHL — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:11:31 +0000

Mike is now available for horse transport. If you need your horse hauled local or long distance…call today for rates. 570 351 7183. Or e mail rachelcartland@yahoo.com

FOR SALE…here’s your next show horse! Click for picture!

FHL — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:53:48 +0000

TuffNut is going nicely under saddle and will be easy to finish. He is being ridden outside the ring as well and has popped a few cross rails well. His natural carriage makes him an instant standout in the show ring. 15hh, bay TB gelding with a star. Call today for more information. $3500 OBO

Another job completed!

FHL — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:07:14 +0000

Mike and Dave just finished a job in South Canaan, PA. They used Dave’s great new team, June and Don. This pair of Percherons, one grey and one black, sure know their way around the woods. They helped take some of the workload from Rosie and Charm, Dave’s amazing team of roan Brabant Belgians.

Update December 2008…time to go to the woods!

FHL — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:12:55 +0000

It’s starting to get colder, the leaves are off the trees…it’s the perfect time for logging with horses! Call us today if you are interested in discussing a job. 570 351 7183. Mike Fitzmorris

Horse Logging Articles

FHL — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:33:23 +0000

Eco-Friendly Forestry and Horse Logging

Cutting trees, saving the forest

What is low-impact logging?

Back To the Basics: Horse Logging (pdf)

Why choose logging with horses?

FHL — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:29:31 +0000

Horse logging is a magnificent sight to behold. Anyone who has seen the recent History Channel series ‘Axe-men’ about the commercial logging industry will have been stunned by the scope of modern logging methods. Horse logging represents a completely different approach. Large areas of forest can be managed long term by a single teamster and his animals. Smaller jobs with difficult access are easily completed with horses. The horses don’t tear up the ground and create huge ruts which can lead to erosion like log skidders do. The following is an excerpt froma presentation given by Jason Rutledge…president of the Healing Harvest Forest Foundation. It was given in March 2001 during Community Forestry Week in Washington DC.
“We don’t feel the need to apologize for working with animals. To the contrary, we feel inspired to share with you the many benefits of biologically powered methods of forestry.

Animals provide tractive power while operating on the solar fuel captured in the form of forage and grain. They require no oil to run.

Animals are self repairing—given rest and tending, they fix themselves.

Animals are less compacting on the forest soil because the spot compaction of a hoof print is less damaging than the continuous tracking of any wheeled or tracked machinery.

Animals provide fertilizer as a by-product, not carbon monoxide.

Animals are renewable and self-replacing, as no one has ever found a baby machine, born to replace its parent.

More of the dollars required to harvest timber using biological power actually stay in the community from which the resources are extracted.

Relationships with animals have been shown to be beneficial to human happiness and emotional adjustment.

This form of forestry not only restores the ecological conditions, it restores the human dignity dividend of practicing true stewardship by leaving the world around us better as a result of our presence.”

Click for pictures…ON FARM LEASE ONLY-chestnut Thoroughbred hunter horse

FHL — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:40:53 +0000

Sam is a 16hh six year old unraced Thoroughbred. Sam won the hack in his first horse show and shows Green Hunters. He jumps beautifully and will excel in ay discipline. He is schooling cross counry and is a wonderful balanced galloper. He is also a pleasure to trail ride. Sam has flowing rhythmic paces and is kind and gentlemanly. He will make an excellent amateur’s horse and is an exciting prospect. Available for on farm lease only at RO-NO Ranch in South Canaan.

Call Rachel Fitzmorris for pictures. 570 335 0395 or e mail rachelcartland@yahoo.com

Click for pictures…FOR SALE HANDSOME GRAY RANCH BROKE GELDING

FHL — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:58:28 +0000

15.1hh gray ranch broke gelding. 12 year old. This handsome fellow has a big soft eye and is broke the right way. Athletic build for whatever task you set for him. Knows how to handle to trail, even with a less experienced rider. Also rides English and jumps…used in lesson program. This type of horse is hard to find and easy to own! Gray with darker gray mane and tail. Easy to load, shoe, cross tie etc. $2500

Some useful information about Thoroughbred rescue

FHL — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:52:35 +0000

Most people think of the New Holland sales barn near Lancaster, PA as the last stop for broken down horses. Many people also agree that slaughter DOES have an important role to play in ending the suffering of old or sick horses. Unfortunately the pace and cost of the modern world means that more and more perfectly useful, young and healthy horses are ending up at the sales. The rising cost of hay, gas and property is one factor. Changing fashions in horse breeds is another. The trend for Warmblood show horses has decimated the resale value of ex-racehorses and unraced TBS, once the backbone of the showring. Fewer people ride these days, and of those that do, many are aging baby-boomers who prefer the stock horse or gaited breeds. Another factor is that the racing industry has failed to ensure that horses have a secure future after racing. Retiring a racehorse costs money, particularly if it is injured. Many that are rehomed directly from the track then run into retraining or soundness problems and end up at the sales.
So how can we help? The first step is to contact a reputable Thoroughbred rescue. Buying a horse directly from the sale is only for the very experienced. The rescue can then pair you with a suitable horse. Many are ready for a new career, while others may need significant time off or may simply be a pasture pet. TBs are like any breed, with a multitude of different personality and body types. Find out more at www.allhorserescuelinks.org or try www.midatlantichorserescue.com

Read about Rachel’s winter riding boot camp at Cedar Crest Farm!

FHL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:51:56 +0000

Rachel recently returned from two days intensive riding at Cedar Crest Farm in NY. The trainers were really helpful and some of their ideas for flatwork and jumping are outlined here…Just click here and then open the file…
cedar-crest-lesson-plan.doc