Well, today was more than just a visit from Fred, the horse shoer (farrier). We started early with Marilyn stopping by to do Spring Vaccinations and Coggins Tests. No pictures, alas. For those who are not “horsey” (as my mother would have said, with disdain), Coggins Tests were invented by Dr. Leroy Coggins in the 1970s to detect Equine Infectious Anemia, an incurable disease transmitted by insects. Thanks in part to the Coggins Test, EIA is fairly rare. A negative test within 6 months to a year, depending on the state (1 year in Missouri), is required for transport of horses. Now for the bad news. The reason it is a rare disease is that the USDA requires any positive test result be reported, and the horse must be quarantined for life or euthanized. Being old, I have seen positive cases of EIA, because it was more prevalent earlier in my lifetime. It is a heartbreaking situation to get a positive result, but very unusual anymore. Nonetheless, we test annually, along with vaccinations for Tetanus, Encephalitis, Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis, West Nile Disease, and Potomac Horse Fever in the Spring.
The horses went out for a little while, then came in to wait for Fred’s arrival. Bart and Derry were deemed not yet ready for a reset. Stone got front shoes, and Oisin had his missing Right Front shoe replaced. It was great to see Fred and to hear about his well timed month in Arizona, missing all the frigid weather here. He will return on St. Patrick’s Day to reset Bart, Derry and Oisin, whose feet did not grow much during the past uncommonly cold six weeks.
Fred
There was not much time for taking pictures of birds today, but Jane’s wonderful feeder is a hit with the goldfinches already.
Connie arrived to work on the water feature, a huge job that will take several days. The fish and frogs were removed to big tubs, which are aerated and shaded, until their remodeled home is completed. Harry came out to check on progress.
“Pond Crazy” Connie 
Draining the pond 
Fish in the net 
Fish will spend a few days in big, aerated tubs 
Harry
The cats provided some pictures, as usual.
Tom Morris had a wild night, and loves the new old sweater in his bed 
Twizzler 
Cora, the fattest cat in the world, and unashamed 
Marmalade visits the barn
The horses got the day off to recover from their jabs. Bart loves his sunshine naps. Oisin is more interested in food.
Late in the afternoon, we went to get the mail.
Harry and his pack 
Weedy under control 
Jane’s Gus and Hazel are guarding Winford Farm 
Cedar and Nettie running home 
Weedy leading Harry home from the mailbox
Night check was delightful, with mild temperatures, frog songs and blazing stars in cloudless sky. We had a hilarious phone call with the traveling Marlows, who are vaccinated, like we are, empowered and free to roam.
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.