I know of small parcel loggers profitably using mule teams.
Had an uncle who was a mule-skinner, logging man.
Man! Could he handle a bullwhip!
My roommate from college was from Nepal. His family would hire men with elephants to help clear land for new fields.
The elephants would collect the timber and take it to the river where it was sold and transported away.
At 6 bucks a gallon for diesel, I can see that machinery is costly to run...
Having logged with horses.
What a PITA.
I have known a few to try to make a living logging with horses.
They don’t make much money most have given up after a few years.
A so called wonderful feel good idea but it doesn’t stand up over time.
Just not enough production to make any money now days.
Power equipment works so much better.
On our farm we have loggers cut every twenty years or so. The last time mule teams were used I was a kid and the mules were stored in our stables. Smart animals.
The last two times we cut were with log skidders and they made a mess of the woods.
Sigh!🤢