This is how the story began with Wotan & Beauty-Focus :-) The sun sparkles through the autumnal colored leaves roof and it smells of earth and fresh resin. Only the ringing of a small bell is heard and sometimes the calls Jöh (go) Haar (left) Hött (right) Hüh (stand). Dirk Zöll from Blumenthal/Germany and his two draft horses Wotan and Irco are at work. Hikers and walkers stop by and enjoy watching the team. As one of the few loggers Ive been working for 4 years here in the forest Hümmel/Germany says Dirk. I also work for the “Arembergischen” forest and of course for all private forest owners who wish to have their firewood carefully transported to the wayside. The forester here in Hümmel/Germany attaches great importance to the gentle logging methods with the horses. Almost every free minute Im in the forest, says Dirk and is enthusiastic: I am favored by fortune that I can live here in the Eifel Mountains and work where other people go on vacation says Dirk. I love this peace, nature and the experience being in touch with the horses. As a young boy I was as often as possible in the woods with my brother and his horses, and at some point I wanted to have my own horse. Dirk already bought his horse Wotan as a foal and trained himself and retracted. My horses are no tools, but also partners, said Dirk, and we are growing together more and more every day. Wotan is very quiet there, while Dirk appending a thick tree trunk. It is fascinating how Wotan will only respond to the voice command and full energy he pulls the tree-trunk straight to the alley. Here, where the yellow ribbons are on the trees, explains Dirk, thats the alley where the heavy machinery is allowed to drive. Up to this point the horses transport the wood. Full of energy Wotan attracts the trunk uphill and remains standing still immediately from the powerful movement out at Hüh. “I is important to completely rely 1000% says Dirk. If trees on a steep slope would come to a slide, that would be very dangerous for me and for my horse. That`s why we have to work together perfectly as a team!” Whether his profession has a future? Here in the Eifel/Germany we place so much emphasis on environmental protection and conservation, including the work with the horses. Since Dirk is sure. “The work with the horses is very gentle to nature, he says. The forest floor is not knee-deep destroyed, or even compressed, as is done by heavy machinery. Thus, the small seedlings will continue to grow like anything here in the forest. Dirk exerts its job of enthusiasm, a dream job he asserts, “In this bright autumn weather, there is nothing better! But of course there are the wet and cold rainy days, when it is better you can make yourself comfortable at home after work.” Dirk has seen many wonderful experiences with his horses. Wotan finished the 8th Place with the German draft horse Championship 2014. With his team, Dirk often attends events and parades. This year for the first time we participated at the Cologne “Rosenmontags” Carnival Parade with the horses says Dirk. It was a great experience! My biggest dream would be: one day to participate at the “Oktoberfest” in Munich with my horses when moving in the carts and coaches”.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 09:55:31 +0000
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