Abstract: A hog holding apparatus is provided with a loop formed at an end of a rigid elongated tube. The tube is hollow and a rod is slidably positioned within the tube and is attached to one end of the rope that forms the loop. The other end of the rope is secured to a flange formed at the end of the tube. The rod extends through a locking plate that is captured within a j-shaped flange positioned at the opposite end of the tube. The locking plate is spring-biased toward a locked position that binds against the rod prevents further extension of the rod within the tube, which would cause a corresponding increase in the size of the loop. The locking plate may be released by pulling on the rod or by manually manipulating the locking plate to overcome the biasing force. A roughened or threaded surface on the rod reduces slippage of the rod against the locking plate when the locking plate is in the locked position.