It was Corolla Vs Horse on an Idaho backroad.

One early morning drive into work on a country road unexpectedly became my only near-death experience.

READ MORE: 10 Of The Best Road Trips In Idaho

The morning started like so many others: headed to work before the sun came up, taking the back roads to avoid traffic and save time, when suddenly: Horse!

That's right, a horse was standing in my path! I quickly turned the wheel to the right and hit the horse along its shoulder from one end of my 2005 Corolla to the other, landing me in a drainage ditch alongside the road.

Luckily, I survived without a scratch; the horse wasn't so lucky. After realizing I was ok, I quickly assessed my vehicle, which was totaled, and once the horse was found, it too was totaled. For the record it was one of 5 horses that were crossing the road to an open pasture.

Another vehicle (the green SUV pictured below) also hit the same horse before coming to rest in the same ditch. The driver of that vehicle was not injured.

Keep your eyes open for the signs and the livestock on Idaho roads.

In Idaho has many areas where open range laws are in effect.

According to Farm Bureau's website: Idaho is an “open range” state, meaning livestock can roam freely. Under Idaho Code § 25-2118, any property outside city limits and legal herd districts is open range. Livestock owners are not liable for vehicle damage or injuries if a motorist hits their animals in these areas."

And, here's the important part: "In open range, domestic animals, including cows, horses, and sheep, have as much right to be on the road as cars or wildlife and may graze on or near a road or highway. Ranchers or highway districts may place fences along roads to protect livestock and minimize the chances of vehicles colliding with animals in open range."

So, in a nutshell, if you in fact hit and kill livestock in an open range area, you may be responsible for paying for that animal if you were speeding, impaired, or inattentive while driving.

Luckily, the owner was responsible for the horse I hit, but it doesn't change the fact that livestock are struck and killed every day in Idaho. And people also lose their lives in these collisions.

Vehicle collisions with animals in Idaho happens more than you think.

1,000 wildlife collisions each year on Idaho roads and highways. And 25% of those result in human fatalities. According to https://itd.idaho.gov/environmental/wildlife/

State Farm reports that 1 in 154 claims involve vehicles vs animals in Idaho.

How do you avoid a possible "Holy Cow" moment in your vehicle? Well, the good news is, Idaho isn't even in the top 20 for large animal collisions according to https://newsroom.statefarm.com/animal-collision/.

The best ways to avoid a large animal collision, whether it's livestock or a wild animal is to stay focused and avoid in-vehicle distractions, be aware of the time or day and area you are driving in, pay attention to signage (areas with large wildlife populations and a history of animals crossing the roadways will have warnings posted), and definitely wear your seatbelt!

READ MORE: Idaho road trip safety tips

The good news is, your chances of hitting a large animal in Idaho are low, and there is a chance you can keep the roadkill to consume, depending on what you hit! Really!

So, if you like deer, elk, moose, and even birds like grouse and pheasant, perhaps you just accidentally filled your freezer too!

READ MORE: Best Idaho roadkill recipes

You can salvage most roadkill in Idaho, but there are rules.