A second visit to the fair

Last night Rick had to go down to the State Fair to treat one of his patients, so we made it a family outing. After treating Major, a Belgian draft with canker in one foot, we bid him farewell (I couldn't take more interesting "treatment" pictures because I was helping).

Then we stopped by Jeffry's stall to say "hi." Have you ever seen a horse with a tracheostomy? Major's owner bought Jeffry and had him shipped from the Midwest. Jeffry contracted a life-threatening pneumonia on the way, and had to have a tracheostomy to save his life. Now he has a rather gross hole in his neck (if you notice it), but is otherwise healthy and functioning well -- he and his driver placed second in the gentleman's cart class!

Another of Rick's draft clients had a Shire that came up lame, so Rick checked him out. Bad news: a hock injury that will knock him out of the rest of the draft horse competition. Poor guy .... The same client brought this little girl and her mama along just for the enjoyment of fair-goers.

She has the homeliest head I have ever seen on an equine of any variety, although I couldn't capture a profile shot to show you just how convex it is. But take a good look at the slope in this photo....


Obligations over, it was time to enjoy the fair. Brian had to go back and show Daddy his favorite thing from when we visited last Thursday. Yes, to my great consternation, my son LOVES pigs!


Brian also got to see cows being milked (another of his favorite Fair attractions), eat stir-fried noodles and veggies and an ice cream cone, go on one of the kiddy rides, and take in a "Wild West" comedy show. He had a great time! On our way back to the truck, Rick got caught by a group of draft horse people (he loves any excuse to talk). By now it was WAY past Brian's bedtime, so he was getting pretty bleary-eyed.

Fortunately for all, he slept in this morning!


That's it for now at . . .