The social and economic aspects of horse−drawn timber skidding: A case study in Polish mountain conditions

The aim of the study was a multi−aspect analysis of horse−drawn skidding in the Polish part of the Carpathians and how this method is perceived by foresters, horse loggers and the local commu− nity. The data was collected in 2023 through community interviews and anonymous surveys. The results showed that approximately 45% of mountain forest districts in Poland, covered by Regional Directorates of State Forests (RDLP) in Katowice and Kraków, used horse−drawn skid− ding. Over 28% of the forest districts where this method was not used indicated a willingness to introduce it, particularly in areas that are difficult to access and in areas with a high proportion of natural regeneration. Over 78% of Forest Service employees considered horse−drawn skidding to be less harmful to the environment than mechanical skidding. However, these respondents also felt that public perception of this form of work was not unequivocally positive and that the future of the horse logger profession was uncertain, primarily due to low wages and a lack of interest from the younger generation. Horse loggers shared a similar opinion: 33% of respondents in this group expressed concern that the profession of horse loggers is unattractive to young people, and over 74% expressed concern that the profession will disappear or likely disappear over time. This situation could be improved by subsidies (e.g., for dying professions), which, according to over 74% of horse loggers, would make the job profitable. Over 94% of horse loggers believed that horse skidding is less harmful to the environment than mechanical skidding, and nearly 44% believed that their profession is perceived positively or fairly positively by society. The majority of local community representatives also considered horse−drawn logging to be more environ− mentally friendly than mechanical methods and assessed this profession positively. Around 55% of respondents favoured the use of horses over machinery in mountain forestry work. Horse− drawn skidding was considered beneficial for the forest and the environment, as well as an important part of cultural heritage that should be preserved. Over 77% of respondents backed the idea of adding the horse logger profession to the list of endangered professions, despite con− sidering timber skidding to be one of the most demanding jobs involving horses.