Collared Javelinas, (peccaries) may be encountered in the western part of Texas and into southern New Mexico. They tend to move in family groups of between eight and fifteen, are habituated and tend to ignore humans unless threatened. The interesting thing is that they are not actually pigs, but fall into the same sub-order as swine and hippos! `
Water:
Water:
Water could well prove to be a problem, at all stages of the route - from lack of, to an excess of....! We can expect the water available to us to be less than pure, for any number of reasons, and we should consider the desirability of purification of all water used for consumption, that includes cleaning teeth!
I have experience of ceramic tower filters, which will obviously be impractical for this trip; Millbank bags (which only remove solids in suspension), and various chemical methods of purification. My current favourites amongst chemical procedures include Puritabs and iodine. However, I have recently taken delivery of a combined chemical/solids purifier for test purposes. Watch this space.
Filming
I’m pleased to say that a Dallas based production company will be coming on board to produce advertising footage for the sponsor companies and will also be producing a documentary of the trip.
Therefore, as previously stated, all riders should be prepared to be filmed during the ride, and photographed for the book!
Snakes
I realise that, for many people, snakes present a problem, if not a very real fear, therefore I have looked into the matter and made some enquiries.
A doctor friend in Tucson, Arizona is something of a desert specialist and has considerable experience in snake-bite situations and comments that the majority of his cases have been as a result of a poor combination of drink and venomous reptiles. A mix which will not occur during our ride. His suggestion was to identify all hospitals or medical reception centre along the route to which we may have to consider evacuation and confirm the presence of anti-venin. Sound advice.
I have discussed the matter with a senior health official in Texas who had a roving inspection brief, who confirms that all medical facilities along our route will indeed stock the necessary serums as a matter of course, something of a relief to hear.
The most common snake we are likely to encounter will be the rattlesnake, however, he is something of a gentleman in that he will, given an opportunity, announce his presence with a buzz which, even if the riders don’t hear it, the horses most certainly will. Others will include the coral snake, cottonmouth and copperhead and we will simply have to learn to take adequate precautions.
A real problem, not one to make too light of, but one we can cope with without too much trouble.
Filming
I’m pleased to say that a Dallas based production company will be coming on board to produce advertising footage for the sponsor companies and will also be producing a documentary of the trip.
Therefore, as previously stated, all riders should be prepared to be filmed during the ride, and photographed for the book!
Snakes
I realise that, for many people, snakes present a problem, if not a very real fear, therefore I have looked into the matter and made some enquiries.
A doctor friend in Tucson, Arizona is something of a desert specialist and has considerable experience in snake-
I have discussed the matter with a senior health official in Texas who had a roving inspection brief, who confirms that all medical facilities along our route will indeed stock the necessary serums as a matter of course, something of a relief to hear.
The most common snake we are likely to encounter will be the rattlesnake, however, he is something of a gentleman in that he will, given an opportunity, announce his presence with a buzz which, even if the riders don’t hear it, the horses most certainly will. Others will include the coral snake, cottonmouth and copperhead and we will simply have to learn to take adequate precautions.
A real problem, not one to make too light of, but one we can cope with without too much trouble.
