Can I make a pig harness?

Question
Hello,
I have two pigs, Winston, who is a year old and about 40 pounds, and another, Earl, that is around 4 months old and maybe 5 pounds.  I bought the Infinity leash because it is recommended on this site a lot.  I really liked the Infinity leash at first because I could sneak and put it on them while they were eating, and because it was easy to adjust.  But on two separate occasions, I have had my pigs actually snap the leash in half and run away.  It is made out of such thin plastic, that even a small pig can snap it and it's not safe.  I am really thankful that both times it happened they weren't far from home.  As you know pigs have super strength! lol.  I have a dog harness on the Earl now, what I think is called an H-style harness, and it is doing quite well.  But on Winston the dog harness just makes him uncomfortable.  I am afraid it is rubbing under his arms too much, and it is too loose under his ribs.  Also, it is interfering with his stylish Mohawk, and giving him a bad hair day.  What is the best harness for him?  I thought I could actually make an A-style harness of my own using some comfortable straps and pieces I bought at the feed supply store.  Would that be impossible?  They have plenty of yard to run around freely in, but I mainly want them to be on a leash when they need to go out, like to the vet and to the park.

Thanks for reading!

Jenny

Answer
Yes the H styles are made for a dog body, not a pig body. I prefer the modified A style, which is put on from under the chest. Piggy does not have to put his head inside anything.

Several pig rescue organizations sell modified A harnesses. Profits go to help rescued pigs. They are sturdy harnesses and leads that won't snap or break.

You can find these harnesses at pigstuff.com (http://pigstuff.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=39&osCsid=uv22vb7ph99scbc4efa2i8t3j3), pigs4ever.com (http://www.pigs4ever.com/pot_bellied_pig_products/harnesses_and_leads.php) and Ross Mill Farm (http://www.rossmillfarm.com/comfort.htm).

These harnesses are not hard to make, but it's a lot easier to use a premade harness as an example. I suggest buying one for Winston, and using it as a guide to make one for Earl, because Earl will be outgrowing his harness soon. Eventually he will be big enough to fit in the purchased harness. When Winston outgrows the new harness (pigs grow until age 2 or so), you can make a new one for him.

I use soft rope, with electrical tape wrapped around the ends to prevent raveling. I make a loop at one end with a bowline knot, and make the harness right on the pig by wrapping and tying to the loop. This is very handy in rescue work, because you never know how big your rescued pig is going to be.