Best/good program for animated icons?

Can anyone please recommend a good Windows program for making animated icons? I've read through the Memories, and the FAQ, and I've found some helpful tutorials, but the ones I saw seemed a little old and I wasn't sure whether the program they mentioned (JASC (now Corel) Animation Shop) was still the good one to go for.

I've attached an icon not made by me (I wish!) to show the sort of thing I'd like to be able to make. If anyone can help I'd be really grateful!

p.s. freeware is very welcome too! Whatever is good, and doesn't cost a fortune.