Anyone ever hit an animal?

[Thorn]

...snip all the good background information...

Translation. Hold the paceline and yell sharply in short bursts like a big dog warning another to stay away. Act like the leader. But, ignore the dog unless they get interested/excited or are blocking your path. Avoid actually making eye-contact with the dog in any case.

Thanks....probably some of the most logically spelled out advice I've read. Wish I had had this before my Kentucky adventure -- I swear I was there just to exercise the local dogs.

[Aggie_Ama]

I have only hit a few bugs and swallowed a couple (eewwwww). One of the local women I know hit a cotton tail bunny, she said she didn't know if it was injured. I have had a few bunnies run in front of me but none have been hit. I did run over one snake, he slithered off and I was a mess because I hate snakes but don't want to hurt one!

We have several private ranches that are working cattle ranches, talk about easily startled animals. And one day we had to walk across a pasture because some large longhorn cattle were resting comfortably in the trail. I am not going to tell an animal that big he does not have the right of way.

DH and I call the squirrels kamikaze squirrels. They are so unpredictable and we know a few people who have wrecked because of them. Yesterday I had 6 run across me mountain biking. When you are riding alone it makes you feel like they are out to get you! It is interesting to know they have a purpose for being that way.