Dangerous riding (rattle snakes, coyotes, and cougars)?

We have all of those here too, plus bear and wild boar. I liked reading the others' answers and learned from Amor's answer (regarding cougars). I'll add here that getting your horse accustomed to gunfire and inviting Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson along for the ride is also a good idea, if you really head far out into the country by yourself. And of course your cell phone is a must. (how on earth did we ride when we were growing up, and manage to survive? No helmets, no cell phones, no GPS. . .)