I haven't worked Frankie since probably Thanksgiving. I honestly don't remember. It's all just been a blur lately. Pulling a young horse out of the field on a cold winter day and expecting them to go straight back to work like nothing's changed is unrealistic. Pulling a young horse out of the field on a cold winter day...and adding sleigh bells to the equation...is pretty stupid.
Still, it was Frankie. And what he might lack in giddy up, he more than makes up for with his quiet, unflappable temperament. I know these two horses pretty well. If you need to "go to town for the doctor" you would definitely want to take Lancelot. If you want to do something stupid...you pick Frankie.
Just to be safe I laid the bells across his back while I brushed him. I shook them around a bit. I harnessed him and took him out and ground drove him. I even ran along behind him trotting for a few steps because frequently it's the higher speeds that equal more noise that get you in trouble. He never backed an ear and we hooked him to his "sleigh".
My neighbor had come over to help and snapped some pictures and video for me and then I tried to drive with one hand and video from cart and those two videos are both equally horrible...and wonderful treasures. This drive ranks near the top on my life list of memorable drives. Not only because the super long strand of bells sounded amazing as we jogged around in the snow, but also because Frankie was a super star.
It's not as though I was surprised that he was so good, because I wasn't. I was pretty darn sure he would be that good or I'd have not been "that" stupid. I was proud of him because he was asked to do something special and I believe he understood that. And he was very successful...and he knew that, too. That matters.
If you'd like to ride along...
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11 comments:
Loved these videos! What a special gift from Auntie Reg.
We all have a skill. Well done, Frankie!
Thanks for letting me take a spin with you on you lovely Christmas ride.
Frankie is perfectly named! What a gift -- both the bells AND the horse.
Love this!!! All of it! Hope you get enough snow for a sleigh!
Frankie IS a Rock Star!! He follows voice commands! I had no idea, smart boy!
Love the videos. And how great is it to have antique sleigh bells! Frankie is a rock star. Everybody should have at least one Frankie in their barn! Love him.
That's so cool! Thanks for the ride ~
Frankie did awesome!
That was ever so much fun!
I've never been on a sleigh ride before. Thank you!
Deb
I loved that video,,,the sounds of the bells and you giggling:)
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