152 MODERN PIG-STICKING 



wounded boar before he has understood what is 

 happening. 



Change horses as often as possible, and avoid 

 riding a tired horse after a pig, as nothing is more 

 Hkely to sicken a horse of pig- sticking than being 

 forced up to a boar when he has had enough. 



Always ride a horse at a boar at his top speed, 

 as he is far less likely to get cut. Never allow a 

 horse to stand over a pig as the pig is certain to get 

 home on him. Always wear a pair of spurs and 

 learn how to use them. Tom Westmacott tells 

 me that he once saw a horse hamstrung by a boar, 

 simply because the rider was not wearing spurs 

 and could not get his horse out of the way quick 

 enough. 



A polo whip may, if necessary, be carried with 

 advantage, as it is sometimes useful in straightening 

 a horse if he is inclined to shy off a boar, or if he 

 shows temper and jibs when touched with the spur. 



Opinions differ as to the advisability of pulling 

 a spear out of a boar. In the case of a heavy spear 

 our experience is that it is an undoubted mistake. 

 On one occasion when I had speared a boar heavily 

 I tried to pull the spear out, with the result that I 

 dragged the boar on to me, and he cut the horse so 

 badly that the horse had to be shot. The boar 

 then staggered a few yards and rolled over dead. 

 In support of what I say I cannot do better than 

 quote from Simson's book. He says : 



If you hold on to a spear deep in the body of a fierce 

 heavy hog, all the advantages of pace, a wound well in 

 front, and of a sharp deeply-piercing spear will be sacrificed. 

 The hog will recover from the first shock of the wound and 

 will use his tushes with most deadly effect. Get away from 

 the hog the instant you have speared him ; take your spear 



