406 Western Live-stock Management 
RINGING 
When the weanling pigs are run on pasture, as is 
usually the case, both they and their dams will probably 
require ringing. Ringing consists of inserting pig rings in 
the cartilages at the top of the pig’s snout to prevent 
rooting. Fish-hook rings are most satisfactory for larger 
hogs and should be placed in the nose so that the loop 
is at the front of the snout, and the point protruding 
forward through the loop. Pigs still sucking should not 
be rung with fish-hook rings since these rings injure the 
sow’s udder, so if rung at all, the plain rings should be 
used. Small pigs will require but one small size ring, 
while old sows will require two or three larger size rings. 
If two rings are used, they should not be over one-half 
inch apart, and should be at either side of the middle. 
The necessary apparatus for holding the hogs and for 
inserting the rings has been described under equipment. 
