We must also keep in mind that not all cattle will make a good ox. That is one reason our forfathers chose oxen if it doesn’t work out they can be used for something else. Young cattle need to develop trust and confort this takes longer for some than others we tend to rush training when things go well. Flight is in their genes and I was told to keep in mind that it is easier to prevent a problem than to correct one. I am one who has had several rides on the yoke of young cattle that decided to drop their heads and run when I was training them as a young fellow.
The traditional ox whip made here in Nova Scotia is made of white ash with a solid butt and split into 12 strands. These 12 strands are twisted into 3 bunches of 3 and then reverse twisted and the remainder 3 single strands fill in between. This whip stock is then covered with leather stitched along the length. A eye is stiched in the top and a lash is attached. The lash is usually twice the length of the stock with the cod line added. The cod line sometimes runs the entire length of the lash to give it more strength. When purchasing a new ox whip they would walk up to a barn or wooden door crack the whip and bury the knot into the wood. If the inbeded knot held the weight of the whip it was a good one. The oldtimers would say some guys could skin an ox with a good whip and I have no reason not to believe them !!!
