50 MODERN PIG-STICKING 



Yet with all these qualities he should lack neither 

 drive nor devil. That his mouth and training 

 should be perfect requires no comment. 



If you agree with me, and you must skip what 

 follows if you do not, I will amplify this a little more. 



I am not a believer in big or heavy horses. I 

 have owned several of 16 hands, but I have always 

 found they wanted the more riding, and were apt 

 to be unhandy after jinking pig. I am sure many 

 men from their English hunting training over- 

 mount themselves after pig. There is no question 

 here of heavy plough and runs of many miles : 

 almost any animal is up to weight. A heavy 

 horse cannot be quick, off like a flash, into his 

 stride at once, and turning like a polo pony. 

 This quickness is the one most important quality 

 of all. You can make certain of getting it if you 

 get the right shape and disposition, and train well 

 enough. The valuable gift of following a pig of 

 himself, as if he were going to eat him, you cannot 

 teach a horse : it must come from the horse's own 

 nature and from experience. 



One of the charms of hog-hunting is that a heavy 

 man is not handicapped. His extra weight gives 

 him the more balance and power to turn a horse 

 or stop a charge. 



Pace and quality need no comment. It is certain 

 that if you once ride really well-bred horses you will 

 never be satisfied with anything else. 



Shoulder and rein I consider vital ; they mean 

 the saving to you of many falls. At home I do not 

 think a shoulder is as important as are barrel, 

 gaskins, and hocks. It is quite the other way in 

 India. A horse with a bad shoulder is bound to 

 fall : moreover, your horse must use his shoulders ; 



