Horses are creatures of habit, and like their regular schedule. My great uncle had a milk delivery business in NJ a century ago - one of the horses got out, and walked his usual route on his own. Then came home.
My dad (born 1913) said the ice man and milkman both used horse-drawn vehicles. The horses knew the route and would stop at each customers' house. But when the customers were on vacation, it was hard to get the horse to skip that house and on to the next one.
My great grandfather used horses to move his cows from pasture to pasture. If they ever get out he would find them and the cows lined up and ready to move at the first gate they couldn't open. He used rotational grazing and the horses knew they moved to the next pasture and which gate to use.
They are creatures of habit and I think most of them like having something to do. I once heard a wise horsewoman say “if the work is right, they’ll meet you at the gate” referring to the horse meeting you the human at the gate. That goes for any animal and any discipline. If your animal isn’t meeting you “at the gate” then maybe ask yourself what it is you’re doing wrong. Obviously these horses like their job and have good humans taking care of them. 👍👍
I'm in my 61st year of working with horses and I can most definitely say that horses if you treat them with love, respect and consideration like working for you. They show that in their eagerness in whatever we do, may it be plowing, mowing or logging etc, but also in their patience and loyalty. If they wanted to they could fight every step along the way and we wouldn't get anything done. Even most previously mistreated horses can be won over after some time with the proper treatment.
I grew up in a quaint New England Village that used plow horses to clear snow from sidewalks. Spring revealed curb-stones scattered lawns and drives the horses loved pulling so much.
I used to log my firewood with my Morgan stallion. Trails were to narrow to ground drive him so I rode him in, hubby hooked up the tugs and log cinch and By then Willie was so eager to go, I'd be holding him in with give 'n tske on the reins while he danced in place. I had to be sure ground msn was out of the way cuz when I gave the word, Willie would lunge forward into the traces and pull like a son of a gun. He loved the work. I used an open bridle because I needed him to see through the trees, but he'd go all day. And he'd stand just like those two big guys when tacking up. They like having a job.
The brushing he's giving them before putting on their harness is to lay their hair down so they don't develop a sore from the hair standing up, but I doubt people who haven't worked with horses don't know how something that simple is just looking out for the animals.
@@samuelhowie4543I was wondering about that. Thanks for explaining what they were doing. I figured it had to be for some reason! There is a lot to know about horses, or any animal for that matter!
@@bugman9787 No problem. I used to rent from a coup,e that had four horses and picked up w few things about them. Plus growing up we had a guy that lived down the road that would let you ride his horses but you had to brush them down and make sure they had food and water after.
I once took my kids to see the Lippizans in an Arena in Winnipeg, the horses came out in the intro doing an intricate dance around the Arena, I noticed that one of the Stallions had a wrap on his ankle and I could see blood seeping through, I was enraged that they had put the horse in the show with an injured ankle, but I didn't want to wreck my children's enjoyment of the show, so I decided to wait until it was over before raising a stink.When it came time to do the Airs above the ground the MC explained that they were going to try with one of the younger stallions because the one that was their star had slipped on the plywood earlier and cut his hock. The started up the music and brought in the stand in who tried his best but was obviously still in training. Meanwhile I could hear a lot of loud crashes and equine swearing in the background, the stallion with the injured hock came bursting in dragging a handler clinging to his lead, and proceeded to perform the routine on his own. He obviously loved his job and was not about to share it with a young upstart, I decided that keeping him out of the intro would have upset him enough to possibly further injure himself and revised my opinion of his trainer.
Great story! I'm a fan of horse racing and I've lost count of the number of times I've had to explain to people how whips, blinkers, and/or tongue ties aren't "cruel" but are done to help the horse. It's just something people don't seem to understand without first-hand experience.
Where I first took riding lessons they had a horse who they couldn’t retire. Every time they tried he just went off his food and got depressed and started doing poorly. So they kept him in the lineup and just adjusted his workload as appropriate. He mostly did the very first lessons for kids/teenagers where you’re just kind of sitting up there while the horse walks around, so it wasn’t too challenging for him.
@@TrappedinSLC 60 years ago I read a then-old true story about a thoughtful horse farmer (I mean he plowed with horses) who had a mishap plowing (buried rock or log or something) and he was thrown in front of the disc harrow his team was pulling. In mid-air without even thinking about it he said "Ho" and the gentle giants froze and then set their hooves down in place. The ground had burrs and some thorny plants and he landed on some of them and scrambled to get back up on his feet. In so doing he he gave himself a nasty cut on a glittering sharp harrow disc. The plow had halted like one inch from his head! In the early days of gasoline farm tractors with their hand clutches and the enormous momentum stored in large iron (sometimes double) flywheels it was just known that plowing with a good team was slower, more work, more expensive what with off-season upkeep - but infinitely safer. The man stanched the bleeding with a hankie under his hat, shivered to think about what definitely would have happened with a gasoline tractor - and said a prayerful thanks while resuming his cultivation. I had forgotten that until just now watching this video - it made the old story worth remembering again.
@@rookiefarmer702You’re right it was the electric fence charger. I forgot about that. I haven’t been on the farm since my parents sold in 1973. Thank you for the reminder from my youth.
What good boys they are. Putting heads down so collars can go on and then to come down further for their bridles. They know its time to get ready for work and standing parked waiting for the next step. My uncle had a clydie mare that as a 6 or 7 year old child would do that for me. That is how I learnt. She was the first horse i ever sat on and the first one i ever drove. She gave me my lifelong love of horses. Keep up the good work boys for your human😊
What a lovely pair ✨ The only thing that I thought is for the chap to have a little chat with them, some kind words, I think horses appreciate that sort of thing 🐴
I was thinking the exact same thing! If it had been me I would have been having a nice conversation the entire time starting with a good morning and continued praise as we went along. Such beautiful animals!
More interest in reviving use of draft horses for conservation, work far better in woodlands and other terrain than machines. Some draft horses are excellent for general riding, very solid personalities and good character plus gentle.
So are mules. A big draft mule can do what these horses do. My dad had working mules when I was a little girl and they are awesome. Mules are smart, maybe too smart for their own good! My dad said when asking a mule to do somerhing , especially something that the mule had never done before , you couldnt order a mule to do something, you had to persuade the mule and allow him to think it over a little. Some folks use mules for trail riding too, very sure footed and good on difficult trails.
@@teresahiggs4896I recall hearing that one of the reasons they prefer mules to horses at the Grand Canyon is if you tell a horse to do something that might make them fall off a cliff, the horse might trust you and do it anyway. The mule is gonna say “f u, I don’t have a death wish, you do that on your own.”
I’ve been watching the Homestead Horsemanship channel, where I learned (among many other things) that there is now a strong and growing interest in draft horse crosses for riding, carriage pulling, and other work for which a bigger, stronger calm horse is well suited but a truly massive one isn’t required. They have a beloved Clydesdale stallion they rescued and now one of their mares (a smaller breed) is in foal by him.
I rescued a beat up Belgian off a slaughter truck. He is blind and unsound, but what a monster he must have been in his day!! Huge horses and massive powerhouses!! Gentle and obedient work partners!! Beautiful team of Belgians you have!
Horses love doing a job. Yours are well taken care of and I watched carefully to see that you gently waited for them to take the bit without clunking their teeth. Nice.
This reminds me of a pulling contest I was at once. In the lighter-weight horse division, the last teams competing (pairs) were a team of purebred Belgians, and two draft-riding breed crossbreds. (I can't remember their crosses any more, it was ages ago.) They were a logging team too. Quite a lot lighter than the Belgians. But at the end, the Belgians gave up. One horse actually lay down. The crossbreds dug in while their driver encouraged them, struggling hard, but they kept going, and the crowd went crazy. We were all screaming, and when they crossed the line, you never heard such a roar. We loved those horses. And they and their driver loved each other. One of the most moving things I've ever seen.
This reminds me of using draft horses in the sugar bush in the spring, making maple syrup. Also reminds me of a story in a book about logging in the old days. There was a log still attached to the stump along side the road and every time this horse was driven past it, It would stop and the driver would tell him to go on. So one day the driver hooked the horse to the log and the horse pulled and pulled with all his might, then gave up. After that, when the horse would go by that log, it didn’t stop, but would give it a dirty look as he passed by.
@@bonnie448 I noticed that too. If they were to get in an accident in the trailer, that bit could end up breaking a jaw or ripping out the corner of the horse's mouth or cutting the tongue. Not a very wise thing to do. Tying a horse in a trailer is sometimes a necessary evil but should never be tied by the bit.
For those concerned about the clip...it's a lead especially designed for this purpose with a lot of stretch and give to it, no ripping or tearing if something went wrong. Clipping them in place is safer because standing side by side they give each other stability when traveling. Thanks for the concern.
Wonderful how they walk in unison into the tunnel . They look happy and keen. Both put their heads forward into head gear. Don't see that often .their body language says lets go!! I want to work. Beautiful.
Never seen that mode of bridle blinker before; so much better than the thick side square flaps which often rested ON the horses eyes, causing them to close their eyes! much better design that keeps the flap AWAY from the eyes.
I noticed that too! All I’ve ever seen are the flap kind but when you think about it these would be so much better when working in the woods. Less to get caught on but still offering some protection.
But bridle blinkers are NOT used for equine eye protection in woods or anywhere else. they are used to prevent a horse from suddenly becoming afraid and bolting and running away, endangering the people in the cart/wagon and wrecking the wagon and injuring/killing the horse if it happens to run in front of traffic. If a horse cant SEE a potentially scary object, it wont run away generally. @@M.KathleenDougharty
Thanks for allowing my old childish memories to resurface. I used to spend as much time as possible helping but mostly watching my wonderful Grandfather hook up his Big work horses named Dick and Molly to different pieces of farm equipment and especially to a hand built sap wagon with wooden runners during the spring maple syrup season. I loved my Grandfather like no other Man alive and he in turn Loved all of us and his horses which he took excellent care of. I know there is always someone to scream animal cruelty but Grandpa never had a cruel bone in his body. I'm 71 now with Grandkids of my own and only wish I could share the love of a good horse with them. I'm a new Subscriber and Thanks
Thank you for the trip back to the early fifties. That is a nicely mannered team. It shows trust. My grandfather’s hired man, and our third grandfather Archie Bailey got Dick and Dolly brushed and curried as you do. When the harnesses were on and they were ready to head to the field, or the woods, Archie, Dick, Dolly, and Sheppy the dog all got a “chew” My brother and I rode across the fields, with the squeak of the harness. I thank you again.
You have very well trained horses---and I bet they enjoy the grooming and care you take, as well as being 'productive'. I would think it beats the heck out of standing around in a stall all the time.
I could see his face in the first second of the video that he was happy to start his day. Horses are such fabulous creatures, they deserve more love and care in the world. These are very happy horses❤❤❤
What a good looking team! This is the first video of your's that I have watched and I can't wait to watch the rest. Clipping the trailer tie to their bits made me cringe at bit, but that's just me. This is a great looking team, and I can only wish my horse loaded as easily as these two!
Horses dont mind working hard if your good to them. Easy to see these guys like you. Not the slightest evasiveness accepting the bit. We have a couple 18hh 2400 lb boys that are just so easy going, willing and a joy to work with. They are a blessing.
@@SamWalker-xr5vg Yep. That's a base model 2016 Nissan Versa to you and I ! Four hooves like coffee cans and self-driving = WOW. Horses that size were tested in 1926 at their moving maximum effort for ten seconds and found able to generate 1750 pounds of pull apiece and calculated by their speed when doing so were making SEVEN HORSEPOWER. EACH...
Thank you for making and posting these videos. I looked at the other comments before I typed anything. I don't work with horses but I am familiar with dogs and know those horses love their job. They look happy and like they have a purpose. God Bless You and the Horses.
One thing I would say, is that whatever that ticking sound is, would drive any sane being mad... if they have to hear that everyday while in their stalls... I would consider addressing that.
@@sharksport01 I mean... I was going to say that lol, ..I've definitely been kept awake by a dripping tap...& I definitely wanted to get away from that sound and go to work in the morning too, haha! I remember lying in my bed and thinking that waterboarding is one of the cruelest tortures.
@@IcicleFerret Maybe, ..maybe not... considering horses' hearing is so much more sensitive to ours, we can't just assume that... It may really bother them. I know I would not be able to ignore it...and it was the main thing I noticed in the video, so much so that I couldn't concentrate on anything else while they were filming in the barn.
My grandfather had a grocery delivery business using horses on a regular route. My Dad told me you didn’t really need to steer the horses because they knew exactly where to go and where to stop. He also said after they made the last delivery the horses just set off for home whether you wanted them to or not and nothing or nobody would stop them. Anything but dumb animals.
My dad (born 1913) recalled the milkman, ice man, and coal man all used horse-drawn wagons (and, in the winter, sledges or sleighs). The streets were left unplowed for them, but the sidewalks were plowed for pedestrians. Dad said that if someone was on vacation, it was tough to get the horses to skip that house, because they knew where to stop. Minneapolis was one of the last cities to change from horse-drawn fire equipment to pumpers with internal combustion engines (because it was so hard to start vehicles in the winter). As a child, he lived half a block from the firehouse. When they heard the fire bell ring, they'd run to the firehouse to watch the action. The harnesses were suspended over the horses, and they could drop them on their backs and quickly fasten them. The horses were troikas (teams of three) and always perfectly matched. (They were probably black or gray Percherons from his description.) Dad recalled seeing the horses' horseshoes striking sparks on the pavement as they galloped to the fire. Up in Fridley, Minnesota, they always used white (gray) horses to pull fire equipment. To this day, Fridley has white fire apparatus to continue the tradition!
I've never been with any horse as long as this without speaking to it, giving it a scratch, just generally 'being' with the animal. That's the only thing that seems oddly missing here.
Well, maybe their owner was just wanting to get right to work, just like his horses are. I'm sure at the end of the day, after the whole tree logging is done that they will be given attention and love and petting from their owner.
@@Alex-ft1df of course I know and hate it. I hate those that say it is for “safety” of the dog. Well…..a pet breeding kennel has no need to cut tails for pet Australian shepherds.
Friend was logging with a horse and it decided it was done for the day and dragged the log into the barn to the stall. Another time the horse decided to take a shortcut to the landing went down over a bank in the deep snow and got stuck in a brush pile. Horses can certainly think for themselves!
Gorgeous sweet beasts. I need to ride my horse more regularly but it’s hard with work full time. They clearly trust and love you and are well cared for.
I'm 63.at 7 in Ogden,Ut. we had 2 Belgians and an iron wheel '38 Case tractor,which my brother buried up to the frame. Our horses loved pulling it out. I made bridles for our 2 600lb.pet pigs and rode them.the 2 Belgians woiuld watch and snicker like they were laughing,and step up to push our pigs away each time i got thrown to protect me. I loved them
These two guys look so chill getting into their gear then the trailer that I almost expect them to pick up a lunch pail, hard hat and punch a time card!!😂
Think of it this way you are either stuck inside a small area all the time or outside enjoying fresh air and a good workout that makes you sleep better along with a meal when done. Good job
I know my horses, ( I still have 3 minis), always wanted to ‘work’, unless there was something medically wrong. If I had a halter, (head collar) and went into the pasture, all the horses would hope it was for them and try to put their head in it if given the opportunity. If they are treated well and fairly, why wouldn’t they want to? They look forward to the opportunity. Honestly.
They look a little like me, when I´m getting in my truck in the morning, heading for shoeing horses...😂 but as soon as I hold the first hoof in my hands, I know I love my job 🤠 Congrats, really nice guys! 🐴🐴Hey, love your videos man! 👍
Thats such a relief to hear. I respect working horse hugely, sadly so many live miserable painful lives then abandoned by being sold at auction. These two have the cutest four eyes on the planet. @@downthetraillogging
Beautiful horses.....just love working horses, they are so calm and gentle, and clever. We do not give them enough credit for what they do for us. Love horses.x
I just had a thought, we have a neighbor who was a farrier for years but has Parkinson's disease, and is getting rather ill, but he still has a horse. It has just occurred to me that they will need someone to take the horse. We will talk to his wife and find out what is going on.
I've just come in from a 4 1/2-mile training ride on a mare that I am training as a Cross Country/Trail/Hunt/ "Bush Riding" horse. She is my Lily, and I began riding her again in May of 2023, following a two-year break, after a serious accident I had with her (my fault, not her's). I start off on the "Cross Country Circuit" track with a one-mile walk, then a two-mile trot, then a one-mile walk, (total of 20 XC laps) before we "Go Bush", riding trails on my farm. Every time we pass the gate that leads to the bush tracks, I feel her asking, through the reins, if we can "Go Bush Now, Mum?" When I steer her for another circuit of the XC track, she dutifully obeys, but then we pass the point again and she asks again! Also, I often ask for a trot at a certain point, and I feel her speeding up her walk, anticipating a trot, every time we pass this point. Mostly it doesn't happen, but I almost always start our trots at this place, and she knows it! She used to be very hot and forward and I have had to put a lot of effort into training her to keep to her assigned gait, but I believe she's about ready. She'll have a rest day tomorrow, then another day of this training, then a day off, then her next work-day after that, I'll ask her for a canter... If Lily didn't enjoy her work, she'd raise Hades rather than comply! She works for me because she loves me and I work hard for her, because I love her as well! When I'm out and about doing work on my farm, and she's in a nearby field, she'll nicker at me and trot on over, just to say "Hi!" And do I take a few minutes out of my workday, just to rub noses with her and say "Hi!" back? You know I do... BTW, we took a new Bush Trail today, one that she'd never been on before, at least not under saddle. There was a steep section where the track ran almost on contour on a 45-degree slope, down to a dip then up a bit of a rise. There was a wire fence on one side and a deep dam pond on the other. If it had gone wrong, there'd be nowhere for us to go, but it's a thing of trust. Training a bush riding/hunt type horse, you have to take them through these kinds of situations, because that's how they learn. When she came through it, with flying colours, mind you, all she wanted to do was eat. I know that this is how she relieves her tension after a stressful situation, so I let her eat. And did I tell her what a GOOD GIRL she was? You know I did!!! My point is, horses know their work, they know their humans and they come to trust their humans as they become better and better at their work. It really is all about a partnership of trust, whether it's a logging horse, a trail horse, a dressage horse, a showjumper or even a racehorse! They know what they are meant to do, and when they have a relationship with knowledgeable and loving humans, they literally do paw the ground and chomp the bit to do what they know they do best! God Bless You All, I'll Speak With You Soon...
Maybe they can't wait to get out of those jail cells😊.....nope looks like you are correct....I like how you were careful when you put on the equipment....you got nice horses😊
I can't say I had a horse. TBH we had a pony when I was young. 10-17 Y/O. I must say that this video shows what it's truly like. I knew the horse, and it knew me. Very well, good and bad. But there is a unspoken calmness to being around one. It's a silence that is only a silence of sound. Inside you both are understanding whats going on through body language. It was mostly a very peaceful comfortable time. Like the wordless video. This vid brought that back to me. The deep peacefulness. Thank you for reminding me. 40-50 years later. 👍
Even a horse likes being a working part of a team with a purpose. People always underestimate these beautiful creatures. They are far more intelligent than given credit.
I always MAKE the time to give my mares a good brushing before I harness them up and if weather permits a wash down at the end of the day along with apples carrots and oats…..Muck their stalls fresh bedding bale of hay and once their all tired washed and have a belly full of food I can kick back pop open a beer in the shop, sharpen my chainsaw blades, lube, fuel and all is calm …haul in some firewood for the wood stove …myself wash eat and LIGHTS OUT….. hopefully I get 8 hours sleep and repeat in the morning lol…. Farm Life is routine lots of City Folks don’t adapt easily….only horses dogs farmers get the life….no stress as you know what tomorrow brings..
we had a cattle horse named skipper-a gelding who would round up the small herd we had on 50acres and put them in the corral and stand there for a hour or two fore lettin em go-wed scratch our heads and laugh-was he bored or did he just like to show em whos boss-well never know but he was well loved and he returned that feeling-well always miss skipper
My Ompa had a team of Belgium mix plow horses that were his Babies. Ompa would use them to plow the Kitchen Garden and for general work. what was fun to watch was when they would follow him back to the barn and if he was not moving as fast as they wanted they would nudge him with their heads. They would dance in anticipation of getting to work.
I am 66 years old and recall watching the "Retired" farm horses trotting up to the fence to longingly watch the farmer go out field on his tractor. They truly wanted to be with him.
I don't know if they like to work, but I bet they like that rub down with the brush. I'm retired now, and I sure wish that someone would have done that for me before I went to work. Maybe I would have liked it better.
My uncle worked with horses for years and I saw him talk to two of them telling them what he wanted them to do and they would do it just as if he was on the wagon, it was amazing how they would do what he wanted .
Horses, just like dogs, are domesticated animals, with centuries of selective breeding. And I fully believe that just like a German Shepherd is bred to be a loyal, watchful working dog, it's the same with those draft horse breeds (ESL, please don't kill me if draft horse is wrong for those lovely animals). These horses do what they were designed to do. As long as they aren't overworked and treated well -- I'm here for it. There are a hell of a lot better for the forest!
Adorable horses and their friends. How interesting to see how they gett rigged up so calmly, with number two son curious about the cameraman. Ive seen grooming, in my part of the world, with the broom part of a short bristled broom used gently to cover more area than an oval brush and they lean into it and love it.
Horses are creatures of habit, and like their regular schedule. My great uncle had a milk delivery business in NJ a century ago - one of the horses got out, and walked his usual route on his own. Then came home.
That's an incredible story and that's awesome 😊
My dad (born 1913) said the ice man and milkman both used horse-drawn vehicles. The horses knew the route and would stop at each customers' house. But when the customers were on vacation, it was hard to get the horse to skip that house and on to the next one.
My great grandfather used horses to move his cows from pasture to pasture. If they ever get out he would find them and the cows lined up and ready to move at the first gate they couldn't open. He used rotational grazing and the horses knew they moved to the next pasture and which gate to use.
They are creatures of habit and I think most of them like having something to do. I once heard a wise horsewoman say “if the work is right, they’ll meet you at the gate” referring to the horse meeting you the human at the gate. That goes for any animal and any discipline. If your animal isn’t meeting you “at the gate” then maybe ask yourself what it is you’re doing wrong. Obviously these horses like their job and have good humans taking care of them. 👍👍
That’s so cute
I'm in my 61st year of working with horses and I can most definitely say that horses if you treat them with love, respect and consideration like working for you. They show that in their eagerness in whatever we do, may it be plowing, mowing or logging etc, but also in their patience and loyalty. If they wanted to they could fight every step along the way and we wouldn't get anything done. Even most previously mistreated horses can be won over after some time with the proper treatment.
I grew up in a quaint New England Village that used plow horses to clear snow from sidewalks. Spring revealed curb-stones scattered lawns and drives the horses loved pulling so much.
Facts!!! XD 💖💖💖
I think this concept works well with children as well. I know it works with dogs.
You're right.@@FOX007-um1wr
I love horses better than most people!
I used to log my firewood with my Morgan stallion. Trails were to narrow to ground drive him so I rode him in, hubby hooked up the tugs and log cinch and By then Willie was so eager to go, I'd be holding him in with give 'n tske on the reins while he danced in place. I had to be sure ground msn was out of the way cuz when I gave the word, Willie would lunge forward into the traces and pull like a son of a gun. He loved the work. I used an open bridle because I needed him to see through the trees, but he'd go all day. And he'd stand just like those two big guys when tacking up. They like having a job.
Classic Morgan's are amazing!
The brushing he's giving them before putting on their harness is to lay their hair down so they don't develop a sore from the hair standing up, but I doubt people who haven't worked with horses don't know how something that simple is just looking out for the animals.
@@samuelhowie4543I was wondering about that. Thanks for explaining what they were doing. I figured it had to be for some reason! There is a lot to know about horses, or any animal for that matter!
@@bugman9787 No problem. I used to rent from a coup,e that had four horses and picked up w few things about them. Plus growing up we had a guy that lived down the road that would let you ride his horses but you had to brush them down and make sure they had food and water after.
@@samuelhowie4543I thought he was brushing off dust so the harness wouldn't rub on his skin like sandpaper
I once took my kids to see the Lippizans in an Arena in Winnipeg, the horses came out in the intro doing an intricate dance around the Arena, I noticed that one of the Stallions had a wrap on his ankle and I could see blood seeping through, I was enraged that they had put the horse in the show with an injured ankle, but I didn't want to wreck my children's enjoyment of the show, so I decided to wait until it was over before raising a stink.When it came time to do the Airs above the ground the MC explained that they were going to try with one of the younger stallions because the one that was their star had slipped on the plywood earlier and cut his hock. The started up the music and brought in the stand in who tried his best but was obviously still in training. Meanwhile I could hear a lot of loud crashes and equine swearing in the background, the stallion with the injured hock came bursting in dragging a handler clinging to his lead, and proceeded to perform the routine on his own. He obviously loved his job and was not about to share it with a young upstart, I decided that keeping him out of the intro would have upset him enough to possibly further injure himself and revised my opinion of his trainer.
Great story! I'm a fan of horse racing and I've lost count of the number of times I've had to explain to people how whips, blinkers, and/or tongue ties aren't "cruel" but are done to help the horse. It's just something people don't seem to understand without first-hand experience.
Where I first took riding lessons they had a horse who they couldn’t retire. Every time they tried he just went off his food and got depressed and started doing poorly. So they kept him in the lineup and just adjusted his workload as appropriate. He mostly did the very first lessons for kids/teenagers where you’re just kind of sitting up there while the horse walks around, so it wasn’t too challenging for him.
@@TrappedinSLC 60 years ago I read a then-old true story about a thoughtful horse farmer (I mean he plowed with horses) who had a mishap plowing (buried rock or log or something) and he was thrown in front of the disc harrow his team was pulling. In mid-air without even thinking about it he said "Ho" and the gentle giants froze and then set their hooves down in place. The ground had burrs and some thorny plants and he landed on some of them and scrambled to get back up on his feet. In so doing he he gave himself a nasty cut on a glittering sharp harrow disc. The plow had halted like one inch from his head! In the early days of gasoline farm tractors with their hand clutches and the enormous momentum stored in large iron (sometimes double) flywheels it was just known that plowing with a good team was slower, more work, more expensive what with off-season upkeep - but infinitely safer. The man stanched the bleeding with a hankie under his hat, shivered to think about what definitely would have happened with a gasoline tractor - and said a prayerful thanks while resuming his cultivation. I had forgotten that until just now watching this video - it made the old story worth remembering again.
What a wonderful story. Thanks for writing it.
So as you have stated, women are always the problem.
I am in awe of the fact the horses haven't gone insane from that unstopping ticking noise.
Gotta love the electric fence. He needs to put it in a box or in another part of the barn. Mine did the same thing.
First thing I thought of was that ticking would drive me insane.
Reminds me of that giant clock my mom had in the living room when I was a kid....
@@rookiefarmer702You’re right it was the electric fence charger. I forgot about that. I haven’t been on the farm since my parents sold in 1973. Thank you for the reminder from my youth.
They probably love going anywhere to get away from the ticking!
What good boys they are. Putting heads down so collars can go on and then to come down further for their bridles. They know its time to get ready for work and standing parked waiting for the next step. My uncle had a clydie mare that as a 6 or 7 year old child would do that for me. That is how I learnt. She was the first horse i ever sat on and the first one i ever drove. She gave me my lifelong love of horses. Keep up the good work boys for your human😊
Thank you for letting us hear the sounds of the morning routine and not jabbering all the video like some knuckleheads do. I loved it.
Thanks for the comment. I've done some jabbering in other videos but usually try to keep it to a minimum. 😅😊 Hope you have a great day.
As opposed to the knuckleheads in the comments, always "running their mouths" about how they prefer others to go about their own business?
What a lovely pair ✨ The only thing that I thought is for the chap to have a little chat with them, some kind words, I think horses appreciate that sort of thing 🐴
He spoke a little but words are often not necessary when they know and feel you. I don’t talk much either. My hands say most of the words.
Horses like many animals rely on body language. Same with dogs. That’s how the communicate.
I was thinking the exact same thing! If it had been me I would have been having a nice conversation the entire time starting with a good morning and continued praise as we went along. Such beautiful animals!
I talk to mine , do they listen 😂
Life ain’t the movies.
More interest in reviving use of draft horses for conservation, work far better in woodlands and other terrain than machines. Some draft horses are excellent for general riding, very solid personalities and good character plus gentle.
So are mules. A big draft mule can do what these horses do. My dad had working mules when I was a little girl and they are awesome. Mules are smart, maybe too smart for their own good!
My dad said when asking a mule to do somerhing , especially something that the mule had never done before , you couldnt order a mule to do something, you had to persuade the mule and allow him to think it over a little.
Some folks use mules for trail riding too, very sure footed and good on difficult trails.
@@teresahiggs4896I recall hearing that one of the reasons they prefer mules to horses at the Grand Canyon is if you tell a horse to do something that might make them fall off a cliff, the horse might trust you and do it anyway. The mule is gonna say “f u, I don’t have a death wish, you do that on your own.”
I’ve been watching the Homestead Horsemanship channel, where I learned (among many other things) that there is now a strong and growing interest in draft horse crosses for riding, carriage pulling, and other work for which a bigger, stronger calm horse is well suited but a truly massive one isn’t required. They have a beloved Clydesdale stallion they rescued and now one of their mares (a smaller breed) is in foal by him.
But Greta does like all the animal farts.
I rescued a beat up Belgian off a slaughter truck. He is blind and unsound, but what a monster he must have been in his day!! Huge horses and massive powerhouses!! Gentle and obedient work partners!! Beautiful team of Belgians you have!
Horses love doing a job. Yours are well taken care of and I watched carefully to see that you gently waited for them to take the bit without clunking their teeth. Nice.
Thank you. Appreciate you noticing details like that. Hope you have a great day.
Wow, they'd put the harness on themselves if they could, I think! They're beautiful and really fit.
Two beautiful kind gentle fur babies doing the job they were bred for and a caring owner ❤
They are happy to go to work. This is what they were bred for! ❤
This reminds me of a pulling contest I was at once. In the lighter-weight horse division, the last teams competing (pairs) were a team of purebred Belgians, and two draft-riding breed crossbreds. (I can't remember their crosses any more, it was ages ago.) They were a logging team too. Quite a lot lighter than the Belgians. But at the end, the Belgians gave up. One horse actually lay down. The crossbreds dug in while their driver encouraged them, struggling hard, but they kept going, and the crowd went crazy. We were all screaming, and when they crossed the line, you never heard such a roar. We loved those horses. And they and their driver loved each other. One of the most moving things I've ever seen.
Nothing like a loyal, honest horse to move you to tears.
This reminds me of using draft horses in the sugar bush in the spring, making maple syrup. Also reminds me of a story in a book about logging in the old days. There was a log still attached to the stump along side the road and every time this horse was driven past it, It would stop and the driver would tell him to go on. So one day the driver hooked the horse to the log and the horse pulled and pulled with all his might, then gave up. After that, when the horse would go by that log, it didn’t stop, but would give it a dirty look as he passed by.
Did y’all see them load in the trailer!? Just followed the man right in. That’s dedication and hard work, gentleness and cooperation !
yep
The only thing I did not like was the trailer tie hooked to his bit, A dudden stop or bump could hurt the mouth.
looks bad but is not@@bonnie448
@@bonnie448 I noticed that too. If they were to get in an accident in the trailer, that bit could end up breaking a jaw or ripping out the corner of the horse's mouth or cutting the tongue. Not a very wise thing to do. Tying a horse in a trailer is sometimes a necessary evil but should never be tied by the bit.
For those concerned about the clip...it's a lead especially designed for this purpose with a lot of stretch and give to it, no ripping or tearing if something went wrong. Clipping them in place is safer because standing side by side they give each other stability when traveling. Thanks for the concern.
Wonderful how they walk in unison into the tunnel . They look happy and keen. Both put their heads forward into head gear. Don't see that often .their body language says lets go!! I want to work. Beautiful.
They really enjoy the process for sure.
That is a stock trailer, not a tunnel!
@@kristinetrott5087 And a very noisy one at that!
Beautiful animals.
Can't get better for the environment than using these gentle beasts.
👍❤🇨🇦
Hello my fellow Canadian 🇨🇦
😊 any morning with horses is a good morning
Never seen that mode of bridle blinker before; so much better than the thick side square flaps which often rested ON the horses eyes, causing them to close their eyes! much better design that keeps the flap AWAY from the eyes.
I noticed that too! All I’ve ever seen are the flap kind but when you think about it these would be so much better when working in the woods. Less to get caught on but still offering some protection.
But bridle blinkers are NOT used for equine eye protection in woods or anywhere else. they are used to prevent a horse from suddenly becoming afraid and bolting and running away, endangering the people in the cart/wagon and wrecking the wagon and injuring/killing the horse if it happens to run in front of traffic. If a horse cant SEE a potentially scary object, it wont run away generally. @@M.KathleenDougharty
Gentle and very willing giants. Of course they love their job and trust you to take care of them as they take care of you. Great video. Thank you.
Thanks for allowing my old childish memories to resurface. I used to spend as much time as possible helping but mostly watching my wonderful Grandfather hook up his Big work horses named Dick and Molly to different pieces of farm equipment and especially to a hand built sap wagon with wooden runners during the spring maple syrup season. I loved my Grandfather like no other Man alive and he in turn Loved all of us and his horses which he took excellent care of. I know there is always someone to scream animal cruelty but Grandpa never had a cruel bone in his body. I'm 71 now with Grandkids of my own and only wish I could share the love of a good horse with them. I'm a new Subscriber and Thanks
that's great
Wonderful animals! Ppl should only be so willing!!!
i like how he doesn't have to tie them
Thank you for the trip back to the early fifties. That is a nicely mannered team. It shows trust. My grandfather’s hired man, and our third grandfather Archie Bailey got Dick and Dolly brushed and curried as you do. When the harnesses were on and they were ready to head to the field, or the woods, Archie, Dick, Dolly, and Sheppy the dog all got a “chew” My brother and I rode across the fields, with the squeak of the harness.
I thank you again.
You have very well trained horses---and I bet they enjoy the grooming and care you take, as well as being 'productive'. I would think it beats the heck out of standing around in a stall all the time.
Watching this brings back memories of my youth. I grew up farming and logging with horses. 1950's and 1960's.
What magnificent animals. They are beauty in movement. Thank you so much for the video.
I could see his face in the first second of the video that he was happy to start his day. Horses are such fabulous creatures, they deserve more love and care in the world. These are very happy horses❤❤❤
Yes
So awesome and so very well trained! Thank you for sharing your beautiful horses and your amazing skill and trust with them.
I know nothing about horses, but these horses appear to be very well looked after and look extremely fit.❤
What a good looking team! This is the first video of your's that I have watched and I can't wait to watch the rest. Clipping the trailer tie to their bits made me cringe at bit, but that's just me. This is a great looking team, and I can only wish my horse loaded as easily as these two!
Thank you for the kind comments. The lead they are clipped to is a bungee especially designed for this job. Very safe. Appreciate the concern. 😊
Horses dont mind working hard if your good to them. Easy to see these guys like you. Not the slightest evasiveness accepting the bit. We have a couple 18hh 2400 lb boys that are just so easy going, willing and a joy to work with. They are a blessing.
2400lb is massive cool
@@SamWalker-xr5vg Yep. That's a base model 2016 Nissan Versa to you and I !
Four hooves like coffee cans and self-driving = WOW. Horses that size were tested in 1926 at their moving maximum effort for ten seconds and found able to generate 1750 pounds of pull apiece and calculated by their speed when doing so were making SEVEN HORSEPOWER. EACH...
Thank you for making and posting these videos. I looked at the other comments before I typed anything. I don't work with horses but I am familiar with dogs and know those horses love their job. They look happy and like they have a purpose. God Bless You and the Horses.
Amen
Boy, those three are a real team!
They are beautiful creatures! :)
One thing I would say, is that whatever that ticking sound is, would drive any sane being mad... if they have to hear that everyday while in their stalls... I would consider addressing that.
Electric fence box
That's why they're so happy to go to work!
@@sharksport01 I mean... I was going to say that lol, ..I've definitely been kept awake by a dripping tap...& I definitely wanted to get away from that sound and go to work in the morning too, haha! I remember lying in my bed and thinking that waterboarding is one of the cruelest tortures.
After a while, you just stop hearing it, like a running refrigerator (might want to catch that before it gets away.)
@@IcicleFerret Maybe, ..maybe not... considering horses' hearing is so much more sensitive to ours, we can't just assume that... It may really bother them. I know I would not be able to ignore it...and it was the main thing I noticed in the video, so much so that I couldn't concentrate on anything else while they were filming in the barn.
My grandfather had a grocery delivery business using horses on a regular route. My Dad told me you didn’t really need to steer the horses because they knew exactly where to go and where to stop. He also said after they made the last delivery the horses just set off for home whether you wanted them to or not and nothing or nobody would stop them. Anything but dumb animals.
My dad (born 1913) recalled the milkman, ice man, and coal man all used horse-drawn wagons (and, in the winter, sledges or sleighs). The streets were left unplowed for them, but the sidewalks were plowed for pedestrians. Dad said that if someone was on vacation, it was tough to get the horses to skip that house, because they knew where to stop.
Minneapolis was one of the last cities to change from horse-drawn fire equipment to pumpers with internal combustion engines (because it was so hard to start vehicles in the winter). As a child, he lived half a block from the firehouse. When they heard the fire bell ring, they'd run to the firehouse to watch the action. The harnesses were suspended over the horses, and they could drop them on their backs and quickly fasten them. The horses were troikas (teams of three) and always perfectly matched. (They were probably black or gray Percherons from his description.) Dad recalled seeing the horses' horseshoes striking sparks on the pavement as they galloped to the fire. Up in Fridley, Minnesota, they always used white (gray) horses to pull fire equipment. To this day, Fridley has white fire apparatus to continue the tradition!
I've never been with any horse as long as this without speaking to it, giving it a scratch, just generally 'being' with the animal. That's the only thing that seems oddly missing here.
Well, maybe their owner was just wanting to get right to work, just like his horses are. I'm sure at the end of the day, after the whole tree logging is done that they will be given attention and love and petting from their owner.
Maybe they take time to "get up". I wouldn't thank anyone for even a kind word until I've had my coffee. A scratch though, now...
They’re lovely. I have an Arabian, but I’ve always wanted a draft horse (well, a draft mix will do) too. A gentle giant. Just love them.
Thank you for leaving their tails. Docking is cruel and not necessary. It was a trend last century and before that
Agreed. I've never understood a purpose for docking
Yeah, did you know they do this to dogs still.
They still crop and cut off the ears and tails of dogs, and it's all for fashion. But I think it is downright awful and cruel 😢 😔 to those poor dogs.
@@Alex-ft1df agree.
@@Alex-ft1df of course I know and hate it. I hate those that say it is for “safety” of the dog. Well…..a pet breeding kennel has no need to cut tails for pet Australian shepherds.
It appears more than ready for duty.
Good job ! Your team is willing to work ,they are rewarded with your care and affection . Thanks for the ride along !
I'll second that
You are very welcome. Thank you.
Lovely teamwork and horses❤
What lovely gentle souls.
You can tell you really love your horses. Well kept and such a nice place, good job.
I agree
Thank you. Appreciate that.
Horses are genuinely spiritual creatures. They live in the present moment. Trust and caring is most important to them.
Roji
You can tell by their eagerness they Love what they do.
yep
Friend was logging with a horse and it decided it was done for the day and dragged the log into the barn to the stall. Another time the horse decided to take a shortcut to the landing went down over a bank in the deep snow and got stuck in a brush pile. Horses can certainly think for themselves!
I would say they love their job and their handler! ❤ Beautiful to see when someone works with an animal rather then force!
Gorgeous sweet beasts. I need to ride my horse more regularly but it’s hard with work full time. They clearly trust and love you and are well cared for.
life is short make time for the good stuff
Horses are hard workers. Those I know are treated with love and patience and like to be busy
It’s beautiful to see people and animals with a purpose. Thank you.
Yes
Beautifull , gentle well behaved creatures ❤
This was Very relaxing to watch
I'm 63.at 7 in Ogden,Ut. we had 2 Belgians and an iron wheel '38 Case tractor,which my brother buried up to the frame.
Our horses loved pulling it out.
I made bridles for our 2 600lb.pet pigs and rode them.the 2 Belgians woiuld watch and snicker like they were laughing,and step up to push our pigs away each time i got thrown to protect me.
I loved them
It's wonderful to have animals in your life. It's an honor when they like/love you in return.
I used to see BUDWEISER CLYDSDALES @FARM of grandmothers brothers. What a treat. There was a Budweiser donkey too...
These two guys look so chill getting into their gear then the trailer that I almost expect them to pick up a lunch pail, hard hat and punch a time card!!😂
😁😆
If they could pack a pail of oats with them they would be for sure 😂
What magnificently beautiful animals. Massive.
💯
Think of it this way you are either stuck inside a small area all the time or outside enjoying fresh air and a good workout that makes you sleep better along with a meal when done. Good job
Looks to me like they have a routine that they're accustomed to. Plus the man treats them with respect.
Yep
It’s obvious that your horses like and respect you; they both were standing at the door, waiting for you. All three of you are a great team!
your exactly right
They are GORGEOUS!
Only when they have a hangover....new years day, 5th of July, what ever comes after Memorial Day.
OH, that was me!
I know my horses, ( I still have 3 minis), always wanted to ‘work’, unless there was something medically wrong. If I had a halter, (head collar) and went into the pasture, all the horses would hope it was for them and try to put their head in it if given the opportunity. If they are treated well and fairly, why wouldn’t they want to? They look forward to the opportunity. Honestly.
I worked on a project with some lumber horses - I remember how happy those horse were both when working and having lunch.
cool
They are just beautiful! So well mannered and obviously loved! ❤️
They look a little like me, when I´m getting in my truck in the morning, heading for shoeing horses...😂 but as soon as I hold the first hoof in my hands, I know I love my job 🤠
Congrats, really nice guys! 🐴🐴Hey, love your videos man! 👍
Yes, sure, that’s two horses that really HATE their jobs 🤣 wonderful to see such beautiful horses, there’s no doubt they are treated well ❤
I agree
I really cant say after watching this, bless their big hearts, though, they sure know their not going to frolic in the pasture..
They had just come in from pasture to have breakfast in their stalls. 😊 They get lots of pasture time on work and rest days.
Thats such a relief to hear. I respect working horse hugely, sadly so many live miserable painful lives then abandoned by being sold at auction. These two have the cutest four eyes on the planet. @@downthetraillogging
@@downthetraillogging Lovely video. My first to watch of your channel. This is a nice detail to read about their lifestyle.
I love how the horses stood still to be dressed then followed you into the trailer. They know their business.
The amount of cooperation between Equine & human is humbling to see !!!
Thank you. Appreciate that. 😊
Beautiful horses.....just love working horses, they are so calm and gentle, and clever. We do not give them enough credit for what they do for us. Love horses.x
very true
Thanks! Hopefully
This is the future of vermont logging
I just had a thought, we have a neighbor who was a farrier for years but has Parkinson's disease, and is getting rather ill, but he still has a horse. It has just occurred to me that they will need someone to take the horse. We will talk to his wife and find out what is going on.
My horses love their work we do barrels and they get so excited
Happy, healthy horses! 🤗💖
Yes
Precious, sweet horses!
I have a friend who logs with horses in California. They're happy horses too.
I've just come in from a 4 1/2-mile training ride on a mare that I am training as a Cross Country/Trail/Hunt/ "Bush Riding" horse. She is my Lily, and I began riding her again in May of 2023, following a two-year break, after a serious accident I had with her (my fault, not her's). I start off on the "Cross Country Circuit" track with a one-mile walk, then a two-mile trot, then a one-mile walk, (total of 20 XC laps) before we "Go Bush", riding trails on my farm. Every time we pass the gate that leads to the bush tracks, I feel her asking, through the reins, if we can "Go Bush Now, Mum?"
When I steer her for another circuit of the XC track, she dutifully obeys, but then we pass the point again and she asks again!
Also, I often ask for a trot at a certain point, and I feel her speeding up her walk, anticipating a trot, every time we pass this point. Mostly it doesn't happen, but I almost always start our trots at this place, and she knows it! She used to be very hot and forward and I have had to put a lot of effort into training her to keep to her assigned gait, but I believe she's about ready. She'll have a rest day tomorrow, then another day of this training, then a day off, then her next work-day after that, I'll ask her for a canter...
If Lily didn't enjoy her work, she'd raise Hades rather than comply! She works for me because she loves me and I work hard for her, because I love her as well! When I'm out and about doing work on my farm, and she's in a nearby field, she'll nicker at me and trot on over, just to say "Hi!" And do I take a few minutes out of my workday, just to rub noses with her and say "Hi!" back?
You know I do...
BTW, we took a new Bush Trail today, one that she'd never been on before, at least not under saddle. There was a steep section where the track ran almost on contour on a 45-degree slope, down to a dip then up a bit of a rise. There was a wire fence on one side and a deep dam pond on the other. If it had gone wrong, there'd be nowhere for us to go, but it's a thing of trust. Training a bush riding/hunt type horse, you have to take them through these kinds of situations, because that's how they learn. When she came through it, with flying colours, mind you, all she wanted to do was eat. I know that this is how she relieves her tension after a stressful situation, so I let her eat.
And did I tell her what a GOOD GIRL she was?
You know I did!!!
My point is, horses know their work, they know their humans and they come to trust their humans as they become better and better at their work. It really is all about a partnership of trust, whether it's a logging horse, a trail horse, a dressage horse, a showjumper or even a racehorse! They know what they are meant to do, and when they have a relationship with knowledgeable and loving humans, they literally do paw the ground and chomp the bit to do what they know they do best!
God Bless You All,
I'll Speak With You Soon...
Maybe they can't wait to get out of those jail cells😊.....nope looks like you are correct....I like how you were careful when you put on the equipment....you got nice horses😊
I can't say I had a horse. TBH we had a pony when I was young. 10-17 Y/O. I must say that this video shows what it's truly like.
I knew the horse, and it knew me. Very well, good and bad. But there is a unspoken calmness to being around one. It's a silence that is only a silence of sound. Inside you both are understanding whats going on through body language. It was mostly a very peaceful comfortable time. Like the wordless video. This vid brought that back to me. The deep peacefulness.
Thank you for reminding me. 40-50 years later. 👍
wow cool
It is something only the few who actually work with horses day in and day out can fully appreciate. Thank you for sharing. Hope you have a great day
Even a horse likes being a working part of a team with a purpose. People always underestimate these beautiful creatures. They are far more intelligent than given credit.
yep
I always MAKE the time to give my mares a good brushing before I harness them up and if weather permits a wash down at the end of the day along with apples carrots and oats…..Muck their stalls fresh bedding bale of hay and once their all tired washed and have a belly full of food I can kick back pop open a beer in the shop, sharpen my chainsaw blades, lube, fuel and all is calm …haul in some firewood for the wood stove …myself wash eat and LIGHTS OUT….. hopefully I get 8 hours sleep and repeat in the morning lol…. Farm Life is routine lots of City Folks don’t adapt easily….only horses dogs farmers get the life….no stress as you know what tomorrow brings..
we had a cattle horse named skipper-a gelding who would round up the small herd we had on 50acres and put them in the corral and stand there for a hour or two fore lettin em go-wed scratch our heads and laugh-was he bored or did he just like to show em whos boss-well never know but he was well loved and he returned that feeling-well always miss skipper
That's an awesome boy. Thanks for sharing 😊
Horses are not my thing, but that really is a beautiful animal.
course they hate it!!1 look you opened the door and he jsut stood there !!1 LOL Great training - sweet Belgian
We bred these big horses to work. They are literally born for it - treat them right and they want to pull.
Dude those horses follow him like a tame in Ark Survival Evolved. What good honses
Beautiful horses. I miss being around livestock so much.
It's a gift I don't take for granted being able to earn a living with horses. Thank you.
My Ompa had a team of Belgium mix plow horses that were his Babies. Ompa would use them to plow the Kitchen Garden and for general work. what was fun to watch was when they would follow him back to the barn and if he was not moving as fast as they wanted they would nudge him with their heads. They would dance in anticipation of getting to work.
Cool
That's awesome. Horses used to be such a big part of every day rural life.
Wow hooking them up is quite the ordeal! I’m going with they are happy to go to work
I am 66 years old and recall watching the "Retired" farm horses trotting up to the fence to longingly watch the farmer go out field on his tractor. They truly wanted to be with him.
Yep they do
I don't know if they like to work, but I bet they like that rub down with the brush. I'm retired now, and I sure wish that someone would have done that for me before I went to work. Maybe I would have liked it better.
My uncle worked with horses for years and I saw him talk to two of them telling them what he wanted them to do and they would do it just as if he was on the wagon, it was amazing how they would do what he wanted .
That's awesome. It's a great thing to experience for sure.
Horses, just like dogs, are domesticated animals, with centuries of selective breeding. And I fully believe that just like a German Shepherd is bred to be a loyal, watchful working dog, it's the same with those draft horse breeds (ESL, please don't kill me if draft horse is wrong for those lovely animals).
These horses do what they were designed to do. As long as they aren't overworked and treated well -- I'm here for it. There are a hell of a lot better for the forest!
If they are anything like sled dogs.
What are we waiting for, let’s go!!
😁😆
Those horses know the drill. Good team!!
yep
They are good boys. We appreciate them.
They look very well cared for. Lucky horses.
Yep
Adorable horses and their friends. How interesting to see how they gett rigged up so calmly, with number two son curious about the cameraman. Ive seen grooming, in my part of the world, with the broom part of a short bristled broom used gently to cover more area than an oval brush and they lean into it and love it.