Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Every time I see Steve Irwin on TV I'm rooting for the Croc.  Normally, 
Tracy, I'd agree with you, when it comes to respecting nature and all.  But, 
if you've ever run into a water moccasin down here (aka cottonmouth) you 
might think otherwise.  They hide underwater, like submarines, and when they 
surface (usually when you're halfway into a swamp crossing while riding your 
horse) right by your left leg you'll understand the need to kill or be 
killed.  These things are the most aggressive snakes around and they will 
come after you.  Just for fun.

I had a cat that was bit by one of these things.  Spent over 500 bucks at 
the midnight animal hospital trying to save my cat, "Jax." Anti-venom is 
incredibly expensive.  His poor leg swelled up like a balloon and it got so 
bad the vet had to put him down.  Ever since then, because of Jax and, 
maybe, that 500 bucks, if I find a cotton mouth out on the trail or near my 
place I will take him out (and, not out for dinner).

I've known some neighbors who have had run ins with these vipers and their 
horses.  Once the horse is bitten, if it's lucky enough to survive, it's 
never the same.  The area near the bite swells up and after awhile the skin 
starts to slough off.  The smell of the skin in that area is the smell of 
death because that part of the horse's body is literally dead.

So, in the name of my dead cat Jax and the safety of the horses around here 
I kill Cotton Mouths.  Haven't had to do it lately since we haven't had much 
rain since last summer.  Plus, the city of Ormond Beach is running out of 
water so they've decided to tap into the swamp where I go riding and are 
using it for drinking water. The way Florida is growing swamps will soon be 
a thing of the past.   I wonder if it's possible to have a cotton mouth come 
out of your water spicket while taking a warm, comfortable bath?

cya,
Howard


> From: "Tracy Cann" <EBBYPONY@xxxxxxx>
> To: "ridecamp ridecamp" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [RC]   Snakes
> Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 13:22:24 -0500
>
> You guys are mean.  Poor little snakey wakeys.  Don't you ever watch Steve 
> Irwin or Jeff Corwin on Animal Planet?  Poisonous snakes don't bite people 
> or horses cause they want to.  They just do it in self defense.  Note: On 
> "Venom ER" last week it was stated "The MOST common time for a person to be 
> bit by a poisonous snake is when they are trying to kill it."  So just 
> leave them alone.  Snakes don't understand revenge anyway.  They're brains 
> are pretty primitive.  Show some respect for the natural world dude.  The 
> attitude of "I AM HUMAN AND I MUST EITHER BE IN CONTROL OF NATURE OR KILL 
> IT" is so yesterday.  Watch where you and your horse are stepping and 
> snakes won't be a problem.  (note: they have great camouflage so really 
> look hard)  This is like blaming a shark for eating you when you go in the 
> ocean.  You're in his kitchen you know and sharks are not rocket 
> scientists.  Humans are supposed to be the ones with the advanced brains.
>
> Sincerely,
> Confessed reptile fan,
> Tracy

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Just because someone tells you that your horse isn't "fit" for
endurance...doesn't mean it isn't, it just means your horse isn't fit to be
"their" endurance horse! Go for it, you never know what you'll accomplish
with that "saddle horse" or "trail horse" of YOURS!
~ Darlene Anderson - DPD Endurance

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