Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Hello Patty,
Here in SE San Diego I ride trails that have many rattlesnakes as
evidenced by the numerous tracks (over 20 new tracks every day in 6
miles) they leave in the dirt and occasional buzzing in the bushes. I
rarely see them but when I do they are scooting away from the trail and
buzzing. I have not come across one coiled and ready to strike in years
which confirms my theory that the snakes feel the vibrations from the
horse's hooves and move away long before I can see them. The real danger
is letting your horse stop and graze without first walking around the
area to check for snakes. I always make several circles small then big
then stop back in the center. Last year we had 2 different episodes of
horses bit on the nose when the riders just stopped and let the horses
start crazing without checking the area. I have never heard that light
has much effect on rattlesnakes. When I ride at night I always ride the
wider more open trails and roads that I have ridden many times before in
the daylight, no off-road brush-popping at night. Those sandy desert
trails and back roads in AZ are beautiful at night so just plan your
route during the day and you will be fine at night. I do carry a small
flashlight for nighttime emergencies and a beatup old .38 for dragons and
of course a cell phone. 
Don Huston


At 11:29 AM 5/27/2007 Sunday, you wrote:
> Okay, I will try the home depot idea...I am not looking for using in
> endurance riding...I'm no where near ready for 100's yet, but want to
> start doing night rides here in the desert and am hoping the light will
> ward off snakes and so on...or at least that I will be able to see them
> crossing the trail ahead. I use to night ride back east in the winter,
> and it was wonderful. No need for lights at all with snow on the ground
> reflecting...but here(AZ), everyone is warning me about the snakes and
> dragons. Don't know how much I should worry about them. 
>  
>  
> Patty

Don Huston at cox dot net
SanDiego, Calif