Using Horses for Labor
Many horse breeds were originally bred for labor such as logging. It is a wide believed myth that using horses for labor is a form of animal abuse. This website aims to educate the public on not only the history of horses in logging communities in the Pacific North West, but also the importance of using horses for their intended purpose. The horses that were used during this period were well taken care of by the company town, and this website aims to illustrate that. Just like people, horses use body language to communicate their feelings. One of their key tell-tale signs are their ears. Many horses use their ears like dogs use their tails. In all the pictures used for this site, each horse has their ears pointed forward, essentially meaning they are at ease or happy. Horses are still sometimes used for labor efforts, but we most often see these work horses being used for carriages, sleighs, and other entertainment value services. Though this is a great way to keep these special breeds relevant, work horses enjoyed their jobs, and using them as an alternative to heavy polluting machinery is both better for the environment and helps keep these talented giants active.
Historical Context
As a community, Potlatch was greatly effected by the logging period from roughly the early 1900s to the mid 1950s. The logging company that was introduced changed the town and the people living in it. While people are still working to tell the story of the lives of the residents in the company town, this website will shed a light on the lives of some of the animals that worked and were also effected during this time period.
The World of Logging
The logging company entered Potlatch in the early 1900s. Logging however, was popular all over the state of Idaho. Logging provided jobs and money and money for the community to keep things like a good education available for community members.
Who?Most people working in logging directly were young to middle aged men. These men were involved in several different portions of the logging process; from felling trees, to transportation, to processing the logs for lumber.
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Where?Logging was used (and is still used) all over the Pacific Northwest. Potlatch specifically is located in Northern Idaho on the edge of the Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest.
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How?Many different kinds of equipment were used during the logging period. Trees were often fell by handsaws, and in thickly forested areas horses were used to drag and transport logs to their next destination
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