When working on a filmset we have to be prepared for almost any eventuality and in the interests of Health and Safety we have to work our reindeer pulling the sleigh during the summer months.
This gets them used to pulling on command and listening to the trainer. Plus they get used to knowing when they are fitted with their own personal made to measure harness it is time to work.
It also get the trainers used to the feel of the reindeer and their behaviours in different circumstances plus improve their ability steering and controling the team.
Of course without snow we have to clip a system of wheels onto the sleigh runners to enable the smooth running of the sleigh. The problem then is the sleigh glides too easy and we have to develope a system to stop the vehicle that is freewheeling downhill and preventing a pushing effect.
In the attached video clip we use a very simple pair of wheels on each runner with a single swivel wheel on the front. We did try many other variations but this certainly is the easiest and most realistic for us the trainers and the reindeer.
Summertime training on the public roads also prepares them for different traffic noise and driver behaviour. This I hasten to add can sometimes be rediculous. Cars pass at full speed or accelerate hard when coming very close alongside and overtaking.
Also public reactions can be quite unpredictable. Anything from wanting or attempting to touch the reindeer or as happened several times toddlers that want to hit them.
Whatever the situation we have to be sure the reindeer are prepared for any eventuality, planned or otherwise.
Before we attache the sleigh we must get them used to just pulling. This Roger does by taking them out individually in a harness with a special handle on one side. Then whilst sitting on his bicycle he starts to pedal very slowly and the reindeer walks alongside. This works very well to get them used to the road, traffic, harness and actually pulling. Pulling and getting them to go in any direction one requires is not a problem. Stopping can be.
Dipstick, our new lead reindeer loves to race motorbikes, or rather he does not like to allow them to pass. When he hears them coming up from behind he accelerates. A motorbike coming head on, he totally ignores. At first we thought he was simply afraid of them until one day a friendly biker offered to do some tests with us. Fear was not the reason.
Horses, nomatter how well trained and used to the road, often panic when confronted with an oncoming reindeer.
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