About “Heiziachn” (hay pulling) at the Planitzengut

“What kind of work do farmers have in winter?” I am often asked this question, especially during the winter months. And that is exactly why I want to offer a look behind the winter farm backdrop today!

In addition to snow clearing, woodworking, training horses, caring for the animals in the stable, and daily chores, many farmers pursue a secondary income in the winter months. A special kind of work, which has become very rare in our time, is “Heu-Ziachn” (hay pulling). Here, the hay from the mountain meadows, which was brought into the hay barns in summer, is brought down to the farm – this requires a lot of snow, a lot of experience, and strong men! This special work can still be marveled at today at the Planitzenbauer. Gruber Sepp provided me with background knowledge and my best friend Magret, a young farmer at the Planitzengut, with beautiful photos. Thank you!

Let us be enchanted by this report, the pictures, and emotions, and be impressed by the grace of the traditions here in our valley.

Contemporary witness report by Sepp Gruber, born in 1957

The year 1969 was just 2 days old when Father called us boys into the barn: “Boys, come quickly into the ‘Hülln’, we’re preparing the gear there, because tomorrow is for hay pulling from the Alm.” Carefully, a bundle of ropes was prepared for each of us. A rope bundle consisted of one 8-meter long rope, as well as two 4-meter short ropes with wooden blocks on one side, also called “Esterer,” which were now lovingly hooked together so they could be carried well over the shoulder in that manner. Of course, a “Haabrettl” (hay board) could not be missing; these are boards about 30 cm wide cut from ash, which were slightly bent up on one side and fixed with a rope, and so the accessories for the next day were prepared for each of us. Well, it was still pitch-black night when we put on our loden trousers and tied our wrap-around gaiters to protect our shoes from the falling snow, then went into the barn where everyone hung their rope bundle around them and used to tie a “Haabrett,” whose rope went around the belly, and after that we trudged uphill like a caravan. Father went first, he still had a mighty snow hoe on his back; I, as the eldest, naturally stepped into his footsteps as the second, additionally packed with a heavy backpack, followed by my brothers in order of size. After about three and a half hours of laborious hiking and trudging through the snow in the forest, we finally reached the meadow barn directly at the tree line, at 1,700 m above sea level. Father began to hack the manipulation area free with the snow hoe, while we boys were allowed to recover a bit from the strenuous ascent. Now followed the creative part of the work; Father carefully took a rope bundle apart and laid out the hemp ropes in a skillful way in a net shape at the edge of the barn.

Quickly a pitchfork and a rake were brought out from under the barn and it was now my task to pass the hay out of the barn to Father, who now very skillfully tucked in the individual portions and thus formed a mighty hay bundle.

These cuboid-shaped structures (approx. 200 – 300 kg) were then lashed down tightly, the hay board attached at the back, and after such a hay bundle had been prepared for each of us according to the person, we strengthened ourselves with a hearty snack. Now it started, the descent over the steep “Haariesen” (hay slide or track), which led straight down through the forest.

The first one who had to plunge down was me; it didn’t take long, because through the virgin track I broke through the deep snow with my feet and already I was lying under the bundle, which came to a stop over me with my feet sticking out at the back. Father, who entered the track last, hurried down immediately to free me from this awkward situation. Having arrived at the flat section, Father’s strength was now particularly challenged.

First, the bundles had to be lifted at the front to insert the hay boards underneath and position them accordingly. Now it was a matter of moving the bundles forward with a lot of physical effort by pushing and pulling; even Father’s snow hoe was used powerfully again to clear a corresponding track. After several hours the time had come, we finally arrived at the storage site and we had parked the bundles there nice and neatly. The next day Lotte, our Haflinger mare, was used. With the sled, the bundles were brought home to the barn.

Thanks to the detailed report from Sepp Gruber. At the Planitzenbauer, the hay is brought to the farm in this way just as it always has been.

Have fun watching and reading :-) Katharina from Zittrauerhof