Rattlesnakes?

[Caiapfas]

Starting this month, I'm going to be having Stetson turned out by himself for 2-3 hours per day into a decent sized paddock that has patches of green that he likes to munch on. But as the rattlesnakes emerge, I am wondering whether I should be concerned about him getting bit on the face while grazing?

Am I being paranoid or have you guys ever heard of a horse getting bit by a rattlesnake while grazing?

Here's a pic of one of the turnout paddocks, so you can sort of see what I mean:
http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/pictures/files/9/9/0/9/stet_thumb.jpg (http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/pictures/gphoto-g43759.html)

[Easin upon a Legacy]

I know what ya mean about the rattlesnakes. While I don't live in rattlesnake country I know somepeople who do and I know a man who's horse died becasue of a rattlesnake bite to the nose. I would just be very careful if you do live where there are rattlesnakes. most of the time when a horse sees a snake it will try and stomp in and mostlikly get bite on the legs/belly but if it gets cerious it could go and sniff and get bite on the nose.

I would try and figure out a way to kind of keep rattlesnakes away or just wait untill rattlesnake season is over. It dosen't look like there is a lot of tall grass in the turnout padocks so my guess is that most rattlesnakes wouldn't want to go in there becasue there isn't much cover but I'm just guessing. Best of Luck.

[dzanot]

I lived in rattlesnake country for years. If your pasture is not tall grass you are probably pretty safe. Rattlesnakes don't like to be exposed and they are nocturnal hunters. I know of one horse who was bit on the leg and that was probably because he stepped accidentally on one. Horses usually survive the bite but secondary infection is what is scary...
dzanot

[walkinthewalk]

I grew up in Massasauga Swamp Rattler country in NE Ohio. Their bite is not dangerous to the healthy but none-the-less they were a worry. Especially when we were baling hay and saw the tail end of one sticking out of a bail. It was only the back half but even the boys got wide-eyed:D

Generally speaking, as others have said, horses won't die from a viper snake bite if it's anywhere but the face.

What happens with a facial bite is that the air passages can swell shut causing the horse to suffocate. Horses are not capable of breathing thru their mouth.

1. Do keep your grass short, as has been mentioned. If you are lucky to have a lot of pine around and the needles cover the ground, that's good too because snakes won't slither across pine needles.
2. If your water source is tubs rather than a creek or pond, you reduce the chances of seeing a viper snake.
3. Hopefully there are cats at the barn where your horse is.
3.1 Cats hunt for blood sport, not because they are hungry unless they are forced to.
3.2 With the cats reducing the rodent population, snakes have no reason to "hang out" and will go elsewhere. Especially if your water is in tubs.

4. IF your horse were to get bit in the face and you find him while he is still breathing and you are waiting on the vet:
4.1 Hopefully your cell phone is on you and call your vet ASAP or sooner.
4.2 Already have these ready and close by:
4.2.1 Buy some 1/2 inch garden hose and cut two 10 inches pieces. Make sure the ends are smooth.
4.2.2 Slather the pieces in vasoline and put them in a ziplock bag to keep them clean.

5. Depending on the size of your horses head, put NO MORE than 8" up both nostrils horse, leaving the rest outside the nose so they can be pulled back out.

Head size can vary from a big Ole Tennessee Walker down to a fine boned Arab or Welsh pony. The length that goes up that Walker's nose is way too much for the smaller Arab, Welsh, etc.

Hope this helps you some. I now live in Timber Rattler/Cottonmouth/Copperhead country. We keep things well mowed, don't have a creek or a pond, have 6 barn cats and so far no snakes for the 4 years we've been here. And I have seen the Cottonmouths crossing the road two miles down by the creek:eek: