2023-08-04 14:58:17
And for this project, the DNF called on Ardennes draft horses to clear the felled wood. Horse hauling was chosen to preserve the oak seedlings. ” If we come with machines, we risk damaging them and doing more damage. With draft horses, precisely it is much more precise, they are told where they must go to remove the wood without damaging the seedlings of oaks. “
This project is innovative because draft horses are often used to skid softwood but not hardwood. If this experience is conclusive, then there should be more horse stevedores in Wallonia or at least better support for those who remain.
” Contrary to what the general public thinks, in reality, there are only regarding ten stevedores left whose sole profession is this, so people who have no parallel mechanization and then there are some, more or less the same number who have both, mechanization and horses. So, for us, indeed, we will have to promote this work technique “, warns Gaëtan Pyckout, of the non-profit association Meneurs. There are currently few active stevedores because the profession is not always viable: they are only called upon on an ad hoc basis and some sites are poorly paid. It is therefore difficult to continue the activity.
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