There are many facets to the Walking Horse business that make it attractive to a variety of people . One such area of activity is the " art of whittling ” that seems to accompany and blend so well with the atmosphere and attitude of the Walking Horse stable . Whether or not this is inherent with our breed or is indigenous to all horse lovers is not known . What is clearly recognized , however , is the fact that whenever two or three are gathered together to discuss our breed , someone in the group will invariably have a sharp pocketknife and a piece ( or two ) of choice timber from which tumble , by the hour , shavings of varied shapes and sizes .
To enlighten our readers regarding this '' therapeutic ” activity we are presenting a series of short articles designed to uncover the deep secrets of why men whittle , especially since they endeavor to make nothing — except shavings , of course . Our author is open to any and all thoughts regarding this subject .
THE EDITORS
The great American society has successfully survived many revolutions , or major changes of established customs from one generation to another , just as we are experiencing a great many changes today .
My little Civil War-era granny and her loved ones never heard of a psychiatrist , or took a tranquilizer . Instead , she rocked or visited with her neighbors , while grandpa rode a horse to the village store where he just talked , listened , and '' whittled .” You see , a whittler was never known to blow his top , burn his house , shoot his neighbor , whip his wife , mistreat his children or become an alcoholic .
To be an effective whittler , one needs a proper environment such as a barn , the rhythm of a Walking Horse , the fellowship of friends — but first of all he must have a proper knife and , above all , the proper wood .
Let ’ s start with the needed wood . This Tennessee whittler likes aged cedar ( preferably one hundred or more years old ). Inch-thick sticks about twelve inches long are best . This wood is desirable for several reasons , probably because of its antiquity , or rarity or scarcity , but mainly because it soothes the nerves to handle it , you can slowly draw a pigtail shaving , the texture is beautiful and the aroma delightful .
Let ’ s consider the techniques of whittling - whether the stroke should be forward or backward , what type knife is best , what size and shape shaving , all of which have special and beneficial meaning , will be discussed later . Did you know , for instance , that you can watch a man whittle and tell if he is under heavy tention ; if he is worried or angry ; or you can see him in meditation , asking and answering himself honest questions , such as : Would he cheat his fellowman ? would he bribe a judge , injure his horse , sacrifice his pride , wrong his family ? Yes , sir . . . a whittler just has to think and ponder and , as my granny used to say , you think on a matter long enough and you will finally come up with the right answer . As she also used to often say , " Whittling makes you think .”
( To be continued )
CHICO STATE COLLEGE , CHICO , CALIFORNIA , TO HOST ROTATED HORSE SCIENCE SCHOOL IN SUMMER 1966
Clovis , California , November 26 , 1965 — The rotated Horse Science School in the summer of 1966 will be held on the campus of Chico State College at Chico , California , according to a joint announcement made today by President GLENN KENDALL , of Chico State College , and Dr . M . E . ENSMINGER , President of Agriservices Foundation . Other pertinent details revealed by the joint sponsors are : 0 The dates of the 5J / 2-day course : June 20 to June 25 .
• The dates of the special 10-day Farrier Science course ( Horseshoeing ), June 22 through July 2 . Enrollment in the Farrier Course will be limited on a first pre-enrolled , first accepted basis .
• This is a horse school , and not a horse clinic . As evidence of the caliber of the course , it , along with the other concentrated Schools conducted by Agriservices Foundation , are the only short courses in the nation that carry regular resident college credit for those eligible and interested . Yet , enrollment for college credit is not required . Anyone , any age , and both sexes may enroll : a love for and interest in horses , and a desire to learn more about them , are the only requisites .
• A new Horse Science Handbook , Vol . 3 , is now being authored and will be off the press in time for the School .
• All enrollees will be housed in the new and beautiful Craig Halls on the campus of Chico State College , with classrooms and group food service at the same location .
• The equitation courses and the farrier laboratory will be held on the nearby grounds of the Silver Dollar Fair ; with a college bus transporting students on the 10-minute run between the fairgrounds and Craig Halls .
• Local horsemen of the area will provide the necessary horses , tack , and other supports .
In their joint announcement , President Kendall and Dr . Ensminger continued , " An outstanding staff has been recruited , and the program is now being finalized .” For a printed program or other information , write to Dr . M . E . Ensminger , Director , Horse Science School , 3699 East Sierra Avenue , Clovis , California .
JIMMY RICHARDSON " Plays a New Tune "
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20 VOICE of the Tennessee Walking Horse