Many years ago when our daughters were just teenagers,
we were returning from a lengthy conditioning ride. Four of us crossed a
creek at a brisk trot and came out onto the sand on the opposite side,
still trotting. There was a rattlesnake in the middle of the sandy trail,
but we didn't realize it until it was too late to stop. We all trotted
right on over the snake who was coiling and uncoiling, trying to strike, but all
these hooves were going so fast he couldn't aim correctly. He finally
decided it was in his best interest to head for the brush...fast.
In another incident, a rattlesnake bit my up-and-coming
7-year-old gelding on the pastern, the morning after he had successfully
completed our Swanton Pacific 75. It has taken 5 years for him to recover
his soundness. Blankety-blank snake ruined 5 years of career of the most
promising endurance horse I have ever ridden.
Speaking of snakes. I was ridng yesterday the weather was great
here in ga. I was on new trail made for the upcoming
endurance ride in January. I was in front on my arab and my husband
was behind on his quarterhorse. I topped a small hill and this large
diamond back was lying in the sun across the trail. i saw it and tried
to stop my horse. since he loves to run up the hills it took a second
too long. by the time we stopped he was astride the snake with his
hind hoove in the middle of the snake. I swear the snakes head was
huge and his rattles started shaking. I kicked my horse's butt
around just as the snake stated to coil up and then it started moving
towards the brush. My husbands horse was aware of the snake my
who is a smart horse did not seem to notice the snake. Any of you have
a good snake story?
