Now that my focus on puppies is finished I can tell an untold story. A few weeks ago I was doing a little preparing for my photography workshop. One day will be spent at the Book Family Farm near Durham, Ca. Nattie, one of the MANY Books on the farm, was gracious in allowing me to come by and see how “things are done” and check on the lighting etc. On arrival I am immediately humbled by the site of these gentle giants standing quietly waiting to be harnessed. Harnessing up these big beasts to drive in no fast task. BUT….Nattie makes it look easy. Nattie is a driving trainer who is impressive to watch. She drapes herself in driving tack and some how places it 16 plus hands high without much effort. Even when “Vic” decides NOT to stand still. When Vic does not stand quietly for harnessing Nattie asks him to keep moving in a small circles. Quickly it becomes Vic’s idea to stop, stand still and accept the harness. Nattie prefers to train her drafts “naturally”. Instead of using force the “natural” way to train is to some how make it the horses idea to do that little something you want them to do. Natural horsemanship allows the horse to maintain its dignity while at the same time developing a much safer horse. “Driving Naturally with Nattie” is the name of her game. It is written out plain and simple. Nattie rules the barn. Organization is the key to productivity in any trade or profession. Maggie the young cattle dog and Thibodeaux (Thibby) the lab wait patiently in the wagon. I love taking shots of dogs in trucks. I might have to make “dogs in wagons” a new theme. Thibby is very laid back as you can see and has not a care in the world except making sure he goes on the wagon ride. Maggie on the other had is a bit worried. She had a bad experience a few weeks ago after getting shocked by an electric fence. Maggie would prefer to be inside the nice warm house but Nattie says cattle dogs can’t always stay inside. Maggie needs to face her fears by being outside again even if tied into the wagon. Besides dogs in the back of wagons we have whole families in the back of trucks. Here is the Drake Family. Brian (at the wheel) and Katie with the kids passing by while they work on the farm. The tacking up is almost complete. We are almost ready to go. Cathie is training with Nattie and her horse Vic to become more confident and safe driving. You could call it “drivers training”. Cathie holds “the lines” while Nattie takes care of a few more details. Ivan are Vic are the pair going out first in the line up today. The other two horses wait patiently at the barn for their turn. Vic or maybe it’s Ivan looks back at me as if to say….. “What are you doing behind me on the ground?” But now I am NOT on the ground anymore….. I am about to have my FIRST ride ever in a wagon with Nattie and Cathie driving. I have been on the back of a horse a zillion times but I have NEVER been pulled by a horse in all my years. This was one of those times when I say to myself “why am I not out taking photo’s more often? I AM a photographer…not a computer programmer” After the photo of me and Nattie I take my spot in the back of the wagon with Maggie and Thibby. I get to look at the backs of the horses instead of being ON their backs. Maggie has to stay in the wagon since after her “bad fence experience” she might run away. Staying in the wagon becomes hard to do when Maggie sees Thibby take off after a rabbit or something. Maggie is now in the FRONT seat as you can see. Nattie is all smiles watching Maggie love being outside again. Even if it means being at the end of a long lead. The horses take us through the fields with out much effort. It is amazing how they know their job and perform so willingly. I feel like I have gone back in time. It is 1860 and I am hitching a ride in a wagon. On our way back to the barn we stop to open a gate. Of course this is an opportunity to take some ground shots. I love the way drafts shake their heads and turn their big faces in that goofy way. But they straighten up and focus on me. I turn my attention to Nattie for a full wagon shot. Nattie is passionate about what she does and it shows. Maggie gets some loving. Can you tell how proud Nattie is of her baby? It’s time to go and Maggie has to see where we are going. Nattie says I can get up into the front seat but how do I get up there? Why just step up onto that tire you see there. This wagon traces back to the 1800’s but has been modernized as you can see. When riding on the back of a horse control comes in may ways. Holding the reins comes to mind. Sitting next to someone holding lines connected to these giant beasts is a bit unnerving but Nattie is in full control “naturally”. Nattie drives me right up to my car. Unfortunately for me the fun is over. As I hop out and say my goodbyes and thank you’s I’ve got to get a shot of Cathie and Maggie who took the back seat so I could ride in front. Even while in my car I can’t put my camera down. A close up of a different angle from my front seat. Nattie and me driving up the driveway. BYE BYE you two beautiful giants. Thanks for the ride. Another day at the BOOK FAMILY FARM where life goes back in time.