Ouch!

Living in what seems to be the most inhospitable climate on earth is not necessarily something to fret about. After all, the desert has lots of nice qualities too- if you can thwart their less fun counterparts. One method of thwarting is to bear miserable spines, thorns or prickers.
As I leaned forward in my saddle to dislodge the large chunk of cholla cactus firmly embedded in my boot and unfortunately for him, the horse- I looked around me. Yes, it did indeed seem that every last weed, bush, plant and tree was thickly covered in spines, thorns or spikes. "Great" I thought. I live on a giant pincushion.

Being the wimp both you and I know I am, this was a scary prospect. Millions of needles ready to pierce my flesh at any giving moment...jumping cholla ready to leap out and get me at the first wrong step.

I have since learned that there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with the perilous prickers.
As I brushed the thorns out of the chest and neck of the horse I was riding, I realize the big doof had something right. He had gotten into his sticky situation by straight just bowling a cactus over. This is typical for this particular animal...he is huge and really, nothing stops him. Why should this? His attitude was admirable.

Now am I suggesting that you charge any cactus you come across? Absolutely not. Are you crazy? What I am suggesting is simply ignoring it. Be careful where you step, and observe the beautiful desert flora. Enjoy the great outdoors anyway. If you do manage to pick up a cactus related injury on the way, you can do what he does and attempt to eat the local shrubbery while someone pries the needles from your skin.