THE GUZERAT CUP 187 



demands that he should be killed as quickly as 

 possible. 



As regards spears, I prefer a spear about 7 feet 

 in length, a good male bamboo shaft with a bay-leaf 

 head. A file should always be carried by one of 

 the syces, as the spears must always be kept very 

 sharp. I do not recommend the use of the over- 

 hand spear in Guzerat. Undoubtedly with the 

 Bengal hogs the overhand spear is the best and 

 gives far better results ; but in Guzerat it is not 

 suitable to either the country or the pig. 



The most suitable Animal, — I consider that the 

 15.1 Waler is the most suitable, though a good 

 country-bred is a useful addition to one's stud, 

 especially in May and June, when the heat is really 

 appalHng, and the Waler is likely to get fever. 

 The horses take very quickly to jumping the cactus 

 fences, as they get considerably punished if they 

 charge through them and soon give up the game. 

 I do not believe in " any horse being good enough 

 for pig-sticking." It only leads to accidents and 

 disgust at being left in the rear. Many people who 

 give 2000 rupees for a polo pony, which practically 

 never goes off a beautifully rolled and smooth 

 ground, expect to get their pig-sticking off an 

 animal costing 200 rupees, and are naturally dis- 

 appointed at the result. As far as my purse has 

 allowed me, I have always kept good sound horses 

 for pig-sticking, and the resulting sport I have had 

 has amply repaid me. I do not think a Waler 

 should ever be taken out until he has been at least 

 a year in the country. 



In Guzerat I always put gaiters on all four legs 

 of my horses, and generally thin leather knee-caps. 



