THE PIGGIN STRING

THE PIGGIN STRING
By Neal Torrey
(C)2001 All Rights Reserved

If you are not a roper, then you may not have heard a thing,
About a piece of cowboy equipment that ‘s called a “Piggin’ String.”
It’s a short, thin piece of braided rope that the cowboy has found
Is handy for “hawg-tyin’” critters when you get them on the ground.
You see, some animals don’t always cooperate when they need a shot,
And sometimes you have to doctor them, whether they like it or not.
Tho you have the best intentions, they just may not understand.
They’ll try to kick you head off, when you just want to check a brand.
Once the animals been roped and throwed, the string comes into play
For tyin’ those flyin’ legs together, when there’s just no other way.
And, you want to do a good tie job, so the critter can’t get loose,
‘Cause if they get up while they’re still mad, they may not want a truce!
Now, when you watch a rodeo, there’s always a calf-ropin’ contest,
And you can see the cowboy rope and “hawg-tie” at his best.
It’s a timed event and the calf and horseman come out like a shot.
The rope is thrown, the loop drops true, the horse stops on the spot!
When the calf hits the end of the rope, he just may be jerked down.
Then the cowboy must wait ’til he gets up…to throw him on the ground.
The horse keeps that rope pulled tight, so the calf can’t get away.
Then the cowboy grabs the legs and puts that piggin’ string in play.
He pops a loop down on a leg, then adds some wraps real fast.
If the calf can manage to kick loose, his “time” won’t mean a thing.
A lot depends on just how well he ties that “piggin’ string.”
Now, how the “piggin’ string” is carried is a subject of much debate.
You sure can’t have it in your hand when you’re chargin’ out the gate.
Some ropers stick it in their belt and yank the string from there.
Others have it in their back pocket, either way is entirely fair.
Old-timers clinch it in their teeth, ’cause they have no time to waste.
If you want to carry it in your mouth,…well, it’s just a matter of…TASTE!