The main advantage of horse/oxen skidding is the very low level of damage to the residual trees and the forest soils. The main disadvantage is the low limit on skidding distance for which draft animals are economical. (daviesand.com)

Positioning a choker at the end of the log ensures that the log is moved along its longitudinal axis. Hooking up and skidding a tree or log requires much less energy than trying to move the tree or log sideways. (Occupational Safety & Health Administr.)

After a tree is cut and de-limbed, it must be moved through the forest to the landing, where it will be loaded onto a truck for transport to the log yard or mill. This process is called "skidding" because the long logs (8 - 24 feet long) are chained to a machine and dragged along the ground. (Cornell Cooperative Extension, 2004)