I use a cane for stability (3rd point of contact with the ground), but what I use is a 36" hickory livestock cane from Lehmans, handmade by the Amish.

Easily cut to length if too long and if they can push a 500lb hog around, it's like having a 3' long billy club, ~$36 at Lehmans. Basically a fighting cane without the $100+ price tag. I steamed the crook a scootch open just a bit for better hooking. It was a tad tight when I tried it on my kid. It worked, but you had to be more precise than I would likely be in a stress situation. Opened it about 1" +/- and now, close will work.

When walking, I worry way more about dogs than people in my neighborhood.

Rob