“I wonder if copperheads have an odor and your sweet pony sensed that smell was wrong?”
Yes, they do. I can smell rattlesnakes. They have a very distinct musky wet odor. My horses could always smell a copperhead on the farm.
My horses were not afraid of them and killed many. They double-teamed them. One horse grabbed the tail while the other horse stomped the head while it was worried about what had its tail. Once dead, they pulled it apart. I found copperhead snake pieces all over the pasture.
None were ever bitten but I kept a 6’ piece of water hose handy just in case.
And that’s interesting as well! Uh, city girl here.. what’s the 6’ water hose for?