Re: Rattler
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deisel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't have any rats, plenty of mice. With a hay barn you always have mice. I have a couple of bull snakes around which help. I had always given the rattlesnakes a pass in the pastures until my horse got bit. I agree about sensing the hoof beats, usually a snake will just get out of the way. Never had a problem with a rattlesnake on the trail, have heard them in the brush nearby once or twice, the horse was not amused. I have killed about 6 rattlesnakes over the years in my dry lot, the barn, my backyard, and on the way to the barn prior to the horse getting bit. My horse was bit directly in the end of his nose so I suspect a snake was in a hole or else my horse was dumb enough to try and sniff one. Actually about the best place for a horse to get bit. In the leg often messes up the tendons. His head swelled up huge. The vet put a tube in his nose so he could continue to breath and gave him anti-venom. In a couple of days the swelling went away and he is OK. We also had a neighbor's boy get bit in the hand this year. He also survived after a few days in the hospital and many thousands of dollars of anti-venom. So I no longer have any tolerance for rattle snakes. </div></div>
I understand. And if you have children in the area a snake looking for shade and moisture in a garden and backyard can be a problem. My dad once caught a rattler in the tomato bush and he brought it out and let it go. "the snake came back the very next day" as the old song could go-right to the same tomato bush so my dad loped the head off. As for AZ having lots of snakes this year, NM where I'm at is low on them, Ours must have left for AZ!