Re: RC: Mating Rattlesnakes!!!!

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/22/99 6:59:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
guest@endurance.net writes:

<<  Now I can't shake it:(( I don't own a horse, lucky for the horse, but I 
have tons of opportunity =
 to ride and possibly buy one but can't do it unless I can get over the 
"snake" thing.  Regular snakes don't bother me at =
 all, it's that darn rattle!!  
  >>

Nah, you're not a weenie -- just a new transplant to California. We just had  
a discussion about rattle snakes not too long ago on Ridecamp.  They ARE 
scary (and kinda ugly, too).  I've lived in California all of my life and 
ridden most of that time.  I can honestly say that I DEFINITELY DO NOT LIKE 
RATTLESNAKES -- that being said, I've never really had a problem with one 
either.  They are usually really anxious to get the heck out of Dodge when 
they see a human -- if you don't surprise them (easy to say, I know) you 
won't have a problem.  One time, a friend and I were riding in a pretty 
remote area and we came upon the most bizaare sight -- the rattlesnakes 
were.....welll, how do I say it?  They were making baby rattlesnakes!  Right 
there in the middle of the trail.  And, let me tell you, there were a whole  
bunch of them having a snake orgy right in front of us.  I just kind of sat 
there in amazement and my crazy friend got off her horse (aaack!) and threw 
rocks at them.  Now, I don't imagine most snakes appreciate having rocks 
thrown at them anyway, BUT when they're doing THAT????  I would've thought 
they'd be royally pissed and attack us enmasse.  They didn't...just moseyed 
off the trail to continue their orgy in a more private location I assume.  
For a while after that my horse, Harca, would look at every branch or twig on 
the trail as if wondering "is it going to mate?" (we used the more graphic 
term for "mating" when retelling that story to our other riding buddies.  
(kids may be reading this, so I cleaned it up).  Anyway, back to the point of 
my story....believe it or not, you get used to the fact that you may see an 
occasional rattlesnake.  Don't let it stop you!!!  Also, take comfort in the 
fact that this is an exceptional year for rattlesnake sightings.  Prior to 
this summer,  I had rarely seen  a rattler on the trail (except for the 
mating ones).  Now, when you spot your first mountain lion or bear or.....oh 
sorry, I was trying to give you comfort :)

Sylvia & Star (who was attacked by TICKS yesterday, icccckkkky!)


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