It started with Owen, one of my Highland steers, marching in the Concord Independence Day parade. I led Owen, hitched to a pony cart, down Main Street while two lovely sisters — 5-year-old Rosemary and 4-year-old Violet — rode in the cart, waving to cheering crowds like tiny royalty. Molly Potter and Rose DeFreitas walked with us with their working steers, whom they’ve been training to compete in the Hopkinton and Deerfield fairs.
It was a scorcher, but the cattle didn’t mind. When the band struck up “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” Owen adjusted his stride to the beat. Not to be outdone, I strutted alongside, twirling my goad stick like a drum major’s baton while the crowd cheered. Of course, the most important member of our parade unit was my husband, Bruce, marching behind us with a shovel and a manure bucket.
But the best news was still to come.
A month ago, Bleu caught his halter on a water spigot and damaged his horn. For weeks, the horn hung down his face — still attached, but just barely. I was devastated that he’d lose the horn, and terrified he might lose his life. We could only keep him comfortable and wait.
Then, on the 4th — right on schedule for Independence Day — the horn declared its independence and dropped off. There was some blood and a stump, but Bleu seemed energetic. Happy, even. Relieved, I suspect, to be done hauling around a horn that had given up on him weeks ago.
I cleaned his face, sprayed the wound with Blu-Kote to help it heal, and added fly spray to keep the flies away. The vet says the wound is healing well, and as long as we keep him fly-free, he should recover.
I’d promised Bleu he’d be the Poster Bovine for those with disabilities, and that’s exactly what he’ll be. One horn, all heart. He’s now the official Uni-Cow of Miles Smith Farm.
Come meet Bleu and Owen at the Cow Crew Experience on July 25, from 1p.m. to 3 p.m. Adults are just $20, and children are free. Bleu would love to see you. He’ll be the one with the single horn.
Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, N.H., where you can visit Curious Bleu on July 25 from 1-3 p.m. for the Cow Crew Experience. Sign up at milessmithfarm.com/cow-crew-experience. Carole can be reached at carole@cow-coach.com.