It's a day off for the baby horses who are running again tomorrow at West Wilts only two days after Berkshire College! It will do them good... I took Whisky for a 12 minute canter at Chris Gordon's gallops in the morning before setting off to the vet clinic with Bug and Womby.

Bug has had his six weeks' box rest and was unbelievably excited to see the lorry and probably travelled the whole way with his hooves crossed for good news. Womby couldn't be left back in the barn and came along too, and I needed to ask about his mysterious squint lip anyway. He looks a bit like he has had a stroke with it twisted all to one side - very peculiar! It turns out that whilst being used as a punch bag Bug has kicked him under the cheek bone paralysing the upper facial nerve! It might not even completely heal so it's lucky it doesn't seem to affect him stuffing his face. Naughty Bug, Womby is all battered and bruised - just as well he has all those rolls of fat after years of retirement!

The good news is that the vet is pleased with Bug's progress and pronounced him sound! He wasn't perfect in the first trot-up but he had probably almost forgotten how to trot and would have felt a bit cranky still! We are allowed to start walking until the next visit in two weeks... Bug seems relieved by the light at the end of the tunnel (or should I say barn) and the possibility I hadn't banished him to a life sentence in prison!