Straprijada Horse Logging - Spring 2022

Experience the atmosphere of a genuine working horse event - Štraprijada, 17th traditional log towing competition.
Following a statement by the organizers, the competition is supervised by the local veterinary service that cares about the health, safety, and welfare of animals.

All-day event in Izačić near Croatian - Bosnian border begins with the arrival of horses and owners in the early morning; the competition starts around 9:00 and the organizer took care of the additional offer (food, music, carriage rides...). Seize the day and visit the local Memorial room or a folklore group from a nearby village Vikici as well as local restaurants and manufacturers of traditional produce. The event host will kindly direct you to them, and additional contacts can be found in our Interactive map below navigation Experiences.

Organizer: Mr. Samir Alicic, Sports center Izačić, BA
Location: Izacic village, right next to the Licko Petrovo Selo / Izacic border crossing, follow the signpost from the center of the village.
Apr 16, 2022 (Saturday)

The horse logging tradition dates back 10,000 years. In Europe, horses were used extensively to extract timber until the 1960s-70s, but suspended as completely unnecessary during the 1980s when the forestry machinery took over.

Ten years ago, it would have been hard to find anyone working the woods with horses, but it is becoming more and more common as landowners and foresters learn to appreciate its benefits. Traditional forestry skills are making a comeback and there is an urgent need for a sound knowledge and understanding of animal welfare and its management, including animal behaviors, nutrition, wellness, handling, and basic care procedures:

Grooming - grooming is not only about cleaning, but also about improving the overall health of the horse - and should be provided regularly. Daily care of the horse improves blood flow in the skin and in subcutaneous and muscle tissue and improves skin breathing.
Foot care - horseshoes are designed to protect horse’s hooves; shoes should be well studded for additional traction in slippery conditions. Calkins should be fitted for extreme conditions.
Fitness - regular equine fitness program is very important before embarking on hard work. This can be achieved gradually by walking and pulling lighter loads over a period of 4 to 6 weeks. At the start of a working day, loads should be lighter.
Transportation - transportation for horses and equipment is necessary if the work is away from the home stable. Vehicles should be suitable for off-road conditions and for carriage of all the equipment needed for the task and for the welfare of the horse.
Overnight accommodation - either grazing or stabling near to the work site should be arranged. Electric fencing is useful to define an area for grazing. Temporary shelter strung between trees or fixed to the trailer is often suitable.
Rests and breaks - 2 to 3 hour stints of work should be interspersed with 1-hour breaks for feeding and drinking. Care should be taken to rug-up a hot horse in cold/windy conditions while at rest. A normal working day is 6 to 7 hours. The size and weight of the timber governs the number of horses used.
Feeding - each horse has a different metabolism. The nutritional values of food and the size of the meal should be regulated according to their specific needs and according to the work expected.