To create the anti-venom a small amount of venom is injected into a horse, sheep, goat etc. They are capable of fighting the venom, because they create the anti-venom to combat the venom. There is a process involved after the anti-venom is collected from the animal used to create it. That involves freeze drying it, and then sera (not sure what that is) is induced to reduce it to powder. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 years. It can also be stored for 5 years in liquid form, but is has to be stored at temperatures (<8 degrees Celsius) (or 46 degrees Fahrenheit).
As someone who handles snakes => the tool is not warm, so it does not always trigger the snake’s strike response. Sometimes they do strike at the stick, but no harm no foul. Others will thrash mouth open and try to strike after caught. It is surprising how strong a very muscular snake is, and how far some can reach. I could not recommend trying any of this unless you are quite skilled. Even “professionals” get bit sometimes:
FREER, Texas — A rattlesnake handler died after he was bitten by a snake at the Rattlesnake Roundup in Texas on Saturday. Eugene De Leon Sr., 60, of the Snake Busters Snake Handlers in Freer, around 100 miles north of San Antonio, was bitten by a rattlesnake while performing at the annual show Saturday afternoon. The bite came four years after his son, Eugene De Leon, was bitten by a two-foot long rattlesnake on the inside of his left thumb.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/05/02/rattlesnake-handler-bite-texas-show/9622411002/