The boy is back in town!

Max is home. He has a bag full of drugs and a sheet full of instructions, one of which, happily, was "Return to normal routine immediately", which means as I type these words, Max is out in his field with his friend, and they looked perfectly contented when I left the yard.

He travelled well again - was a little hesitant about going up that ramp this time, but still walked on quickly when I asked. I watched his face and tried to put my finger on what was different. He looked suddenly wary about the world around him, mistrustful. I felt terrible that I had put that look on his face... But still I stood there, hand on withers, talking quietly, singing occasionally, and finally, walked right up to his head and peered at him through the grille. He turned, and his face changed again, into the Max I recognise. He poked his nose at me for a kiss, got his treat, and I said "OK Max?" Gentle head nod.

He did a lot of sniffing out the window on this trip, and when we got about a mile away from home, he bellowed out a loud neigh. I think he knew. I think he could smell home.

So, hopefully "horse porn" is done for us now, though if it is, it went out with a flourish involving the strangest telephone conversation I've ever had (slightly edited for those of a sensitive nature).

The vets were doing a last check on Max before deciding if he could come home today. I was on the phone with one, while the surgeon was checking Max out.

"He's fine. He's a bit swollen and sore but he's eating well."

"Has anybody seen him have a wee?" I asked.

"He has had one," the vet confirmed, "but we didn't see. We don't expect he'll be dropping yet, because he is quite sore, and the stitches are right there, so he won't be wanting to push past that just now. We're very optimistic."

"Oh good!"

"In fact, the surgeon has just pulled his willy out with his hand. He's very happy with it!"

That's either very good news, or rather disturbing. I'll opt for good rather than the seedy actions of a pony botherer.

The upshot is, there's every reason to believe this was a great success, and we should be able to see the evidence of that in the next few days. Fingers crossed.