I know too well about back pain... I too, rode too hard and so often put up wet.
Then there in the knee(s) choose one, it's a toss-up between one or the other or both at the same time !
Hope you get relief, quickly
On the serpent hunter front, SHE "whom shall be obeyed"
went to Walmart after snake repellent ( didn't know there was such a thing).
Apparently, there is and it is pricy, she came home with Lime

Then there are Outdoor Solar Ultrasonic Snake Repeller - $49.97
$99.97 
I've yet to see this guy in the skin just a photo SHE took, Southern Water Snake it seems