1966-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1966 May Voice RS | Page 58

arch, the back end drop and drive
like pistons, the cock of the tail,
the movements of the sharp ears,
the rhythmic nod of the head, and
the big lick of the front end, is
some sight to behold. And in these
minutes of reflection springs forth
the unmistakable image of a pro­
fessional horse trainer.
The average Walking Horse train­
er is a man that is dedicated to a
young, rapidly-growing, wholesome
mode of entertainment and enjoy­
ment. He is a man who is helping
mould a new profession, which is
growing in spite of lack of estab­
lished patterns, weak national lead­
ership, and misunderstandings by
amateurs and owners. He is usual­
ly overworked and underpaid, but
would not exchange his position for
by
another with half the working hours
Sheriff Ledford
and twice the pay.
True, there are some who are
less than a credit to the profession,
but fortunately most are honest and
truthful, and would not for anything,
anywhere, anytime, or for anyone,
dispose of their integrity.
The trainer, for the most part, is
There are many people right now a family man. He attends church,
thinking, just as I, that they have sees that his children and wife are
worked too hard, slept too little, well clothed, fed and housed, and,
neglected their families too much while he appears indifferent by his
and, by Spring . . . WOW! By now I frequent absence from home, his
have had pills for energy, pills for every working hour contains dreams
rest, pills to stay awake and pills of the top horse and the big show,
to sleep, but there is one solid and so that he can better provide for
reliable nerve formula that always his loved ones.
seems to make things come out
The trainer annually elevates his
right, and that is . . . whittling at profession by displaying newly ac­
my favorite horse barn. Well, here quired knowledge in business, in
I am, resting in the warm sun, whit­ judging and showing, and in public
tling on a smooth cedar stick, watch­ relations. While working in the barn
ing a beautiful Walking Horse which or on the track, he may have man­
has been trained indoors through ure on his boots and callouses on
the winter months. He seemingly his seat. He may whip a horse into
displays pure delight just to be out­ obedience, but will fight a harshly
doors, under a saddle, working up applied hand. Come show time he
a healthy sweat. With a bob of his will be spit-and-polish in a riding
head and a spring in his step, he is habit with shiny boots and smooth
as proud as a peacock and obeys leather. He’ll have his horse braid­
every command, acknowledging the ed his tail set, and groomed fit for
gentle but firm hands that guide a king, and proudly put on a show
him. While basking in the warm
as m! -f«ner thiS iS his Ufe' and
sun, one realizes that this is a rap­ as my little granny used to say
idly growing and beautifully display­
Son, if it t wern’t for him vou all
ed scene from coast to coast, one would be out of business” :y. a^d
that millions are destined to see that s for s