| Make a Donation Note: Lee does not ask for help. People often offer to help because Lee is doing something many people wish they could do, and helping Lee is their way of joining his quest and becoming involved. If you would like to make a donation, please email Cindy Harff at win480@aol.com |
| VISITORS SINCE 12 April 2007 |
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| Volunteer Webmaster is Patty Goff Onarga, IL |
| Please go to the Guest Book or the FaceBook pages for updates on my whereabouts. I am just one person and there are many of you who have befriended me. This is the best way for me to keep everyone updated and make sure no one gets left out. Lee Go to my FaceBook page at LeetheHorselogger. |
Lee the
Horselogger:
His Story
Wow-Where to start?
"I was born in a
hospital...", wait--that's
not important. How
about "I am a horse
logger..."
Logging, horses, a
simple way of life...That
sounds more like it
because it is what I am.
My earliest memories
include cutting firewood
with my family in upstate
New York, riding critters,
driving ponies, being in
the woods, running
chainsaws (dad bought
me my first saw when I
was 13), cutting
firewood by myself,
planting trees,
gardening, wandering in
the woods, cross
country skiing, learning
to run heavy equipment,
high school, then
college.
Along the college route,
I learned a couple of
things...The main thing
being that life can either
be lived or it will live you
until you learn your
lessons. College
introduced me to a large
conglomeration of
clowns, tenured faculty.
I left degreeless, but
educated, and began
the process of undoing
the damage of the first
22 years of my life's
formal education, and
began my true learning
in real
education...poverty...
which I call a
blessing...backbreaking
labor, working horses,
running sawmills, caring
for the ranch in
Montana, living without
electricity, running
water, or a vehicle half
the time. Living life as
an adventure day to day.
Receiving my gift of
cancer, continuing the
path of learning, letting
the ranch go, falling in
love with my first, and
only, childhood
sweetheart, beginning
the journey to see her in
New England, and
loving life...My story...
(By Lee the
Horselogger)
Horselogger:
His Story
Wow-Where to start?
"I was born in a
hospital...", wait--that's
not important. How
about "I am a horse
logger..."
Logging, horses, a
simple way of life...That
sounds more like it
because it is what I am.
My earliest memories
include cutting firewood
with my family in upstate
New York, riding critters,
driving ponies, being in
the woods, running
chainsaws (dad bought
me my first saw when I
was 13), cutting
firewood by myself,
planting trees,
gardening, wandering in
the woods, cross
country skiing, learning
to run heavy equipment,
high school, then
college.
Along the college route,
I learned a couple of
things...The main thing
being that life can either
be lived or it will live you
until you learn your
lessons. College
introduced me to a large
conglomeration of
clowns, tenured faculty.
I left degreeless, but
educated, and began
the process of undoing
the damage of the first
22 years of my life's
formal education, and
began my true learning
in real
education...poverty...
which I call a
blessing...backbreaking
labor, working horses,
running sawmills, caring
for the ranch in
Montana, living without
electricity, running
water, or a vehicle half
the time. Living life as
an adventure day to day.
Receiving my gift of
cancer, continuing the
path of learning, letting
the ranch go, falling in
love with my first, and
only, childhood
sweetheart, beginning
the journey to see her in
New England, and
loving life...My story...
(By Lee the
Horselogger)
| HELPING LEE After four years on the road, I have realized that I need to make a few adjustments to my traveling. Although I have been able to maintain the ability to travel for the last four years the physical price has been a little higher than I would like to pay. I am one person doing the job of about four people. At this point, it is time to change so that I do not kill myself: First off, I have contacted the Oregon Horse Council (thank you Millie) and she said she would contact the Sheriff's Posse, which is a wonderful idea. In places, an outrider would be a great idea to control traffic and people while driving six horses...It is a concern of mine to have people interfering with my lead team. Likewise, the Sheriff’s Posse should be able to help with camp spots, routing, and all the other myriad of issues that I face on a daily basis. it is my intention to continue using this resource as much as possible. Throughout this trip, many people have provided assistance in which I am incredibly thankful ...and I suspect the help will continue. I would like to outline some of the logistics, so that those that are interested in helping me can understand some of the challenge of traveling with six draft horses. Logistics: Camping: this is a traveling team who are pulling fully loaded wagons. Campsites are determined by where we are on the road, although it would be wonderful to camp in your field that has horses and is only 5 miles off of my travel route logistically it is not feasible. Finding a campsite and making prior arrangements is always best before I arrive with the team and wagons. First, my horses are an isolated herd and I try to keep it that way for both the safety of your horses and mine. Although my horses are vaccinated, I prefer not to expose them to other horses while I am traveling. Secondly, 5 miles of travel becomes 10 miles of off route travel and I prefer not to go off my route unless absolutely necessary as my horses are traveling thousand of miles (I do give them rest breaks when the situation is appropriate). Thirdly, the security of other people’s pastures is inadequate for a stallion, two geldings and three mares. What do we need for a camping spot? First, access to fresh potable water (not from a pond, river or lake) in other words, city or well water. Secondly, the camp spot has to be on my route, which I will try to map out in advance this time. We look for a field, parking lot, or level spot that I can bring the wagons in and get out of easily. There is no backing up. Generally, it is best to be in the public eye as people have heard of my travels and are watching for the team and me. Places that I have camped in before include: fire departments, police departments, Home Depot, Lowes, Kmart and grocery stores (although they can be problematic) and everything in between, likewise we have camped in fields, along side of the roads in the borrow pit, parks (which are also problematic) and everything in between there. Although I can have some flexibility with it, there are certain needs of the horses that have to be met. Feed: I do not feed my horses corn or a great deal of alfalfa. I feed grass hay and whole grains such as oats, barley and wheat. Beet pulp is the main stay of the horse’s diet and on an average day we go through 60 lbs of beet pulp pellets, 100 lbs of oats and up to 300 lbs of good quality grass hay. The only supplements I use are corn oil and salt. Lee's needs: I try to camp near a restaurant, grocery store or someplace with public facilities. Likewise I am looking for a place I can eat while still in close proximity to the horses. One of the great pleasures is sharing a meal in a restaurant with a group of people who do not know each other. Although I appreciate the donations of canned food, I have no way of preparing them and after traveling all day and then caring for six horses, I am exhausted. Donations: The donations of grass hay, oats, barley, beet pulp (in pellet form without molasses) is always appreciated, likewise in order to cover the $500.00 monthly vet bill for Tom, cash is most useful. Horses are like any livestock--they take a lot of money. Communications: Due to the generosity of Lewie and Marti Dodge I am able to have Internet access wherever I can obtain cellular service. The simplest way of reaching me is via the link that says getting a hold of Lee: by sending me your telephone number, I can contact you when it is convenient for me. I do not type and therefore do not respond to text messages, which cost me extra money. Likewise, please do not send me messages asking where I am, as that information can be located on my face book page. Messages in which my response is not required are always received with appreciation and if a response is needed please include a telephone number. NOTE: Text messages and e-mails will NOT get a response. Please send your phone number instead. Clean up: Help is always welcomed on the morning of departure and other times with the shoveling of manure and a pick-up to haul it away (makes for great garden fertilizer). Local Connections: Someone to email me with the non-emergency contact numbers for the fire, police and sheriff’s department. Local Media: Is always welcomed. I appreciate appointments being made in advance, as the needs of my horses come first upon the arrival at a new stop. Please contact me via email with a telephone number and I will gladly return your call. Needs, Wants and Desires Supplies for the horses are always at the top of the list and I am always trying to upgrade equipment along these lines:
NEW WISH LIST ITEMS!
THE THREE BIG ONES First of all, I have borrowed money to get my horses here ($1,000), to build a different trailer that will fit my needs better ($1,400), and money for Tom's vet care ($600). Help to defray these costs will be greatly appreciated. Second, communications cost me about $150 a month. Finally, Tom's ongoing medical care will continue to cost $550 a month and this can be overwhelming when all I count on is donations. Any and all help is appreciated! THANK-YOU LIST Joe and Melissa McLaughlin - where do I start to say "thank you" ?? Garret at Easy Boot - my horses' hoofs say thanks and so do I! Lisa and James - for traffic cones! |
