I like the way you finished this. Did you stain and oil it or did you use a urethane?

It is stained and the hooves are painted, then it is finished with butcher's wax and rubbed to a gloss.

Nothing like a hand rubbed finish, that's a lot of work but worth it., looks great!

Thanks

Huh, I didn't even know you carved!

every time i look at this horse of yours i keep thinking of the horse from the movie Hudson Hawk. simply beautiful

I don't remember the horse from Hudson Hawks. All I remember is the timing song heist.

the devinchi horse that they stole in that song lol

I thought some yea-who had that melted and recast into a cannon...

LOL i guess thats one form oh horse power

I didn't know you carved too, it's stunning!

Pretty!

It was very poplar in high school.

What is your preferred wood to carve in?

Poplar is good. Fine grain; strong enough to take the stress and delicate enough for fine detail. Clear white pine is good, too, but expensive. The prince of carving woods is basswood, which is the preferred wood for carousel horses, but I've never had any to carve. I don't ever recall SEEING it in your standard hardware store.

Well you need to find a supplier/stockist that specializes in both local as exotic woods. I know those are not easy to find these days. I at the moment only know of one in my country, Belgium. Perhaps the FSC-labeling organization can give directions for you area.

http://www.fsc.org/

Also have you ever considerer just using a random log found or bought to carve something from as you go along? Or trying something others have put guidelines down for. Like the one below and use it to further decorate it with carvings.

http://dornob.com/hot-seats-stools-.....ed-log-chairs/

They are often rotted, cracked or have bugs. The logs, that is,

Well you can keep an eye out when a storm has passed or the county trimmed the trees. Or do you know a lumberjack or a beaver? Any lake in your neighborhood or seafront where you might find driftwood.

It really requires more equipment then I've got. And I don't do it that often. Just once and a while I get the itch.

That might be a splinter.