Jessica hurried into the barn for her riding lesson and ran straight to her favorite horse's stall.
But Buster's stall was empty.
"Buster's not feeling well," said Mr. Petersen, the riding instructor.
"I'll get Ginger ready for your lesson."
Jessica was worried. "What's wrong with Buster?"
"That's what I'm here to find out," Dr. Roy said as he walked into the barn.
"Come with me."
Jessica followed the vet to where Buster was.
"Mr. Petersen said Buster hasn't been very active for a few days now," Dr. Roy said.
Buster stood still, his head down, as Dr. Roy ran his hands over him.
"Hmm. No sore spots."
Jessica watched the vet examine the horse.
"Mr. Petersen mentioned Buster hasn't had much appetite," he said.
"Horses can easily get upset stomachs.
Their stomachs are small compared to their bodies."
Dr. Roy listened to Buster's stomach with a stethoscope.
"The good news is that Buster's stomach sounds normal."
Next Dr. Roy checked Buster's eyes.
"How did you become a veterinarian?" Jessica asked.
"I studied science for four years in college," said Dr. Roy.
"After I graduated, I went to veterinary school."
"How long did that take?" Jessica asked.
"Four years. Then I had to pass a test to get my veterinarian's license."
Dr. Roy looked at Buster's hooves.
"A horse vet has to know stuff that other veterinarians don't," he added.
"For example, the horse's hoof is like a big toenail.
The hoof is hard on the outside, but the inside is easily hurt."
"Did you go to a different school to learn about horses?"
"No. I worked a lot with horses in veterinary school."
Dr. Roy looked in Buster's mouth.
"Some vets even decide to study a specialty, like horse dentistry or surgery."
"Wow," Jessica said.
Buster coughed and thick liquid ran from his nose.
Dr. Roy listened to Buster's throat with the stethoscope.
"I think Buster has a cold. I'll have to check his temperature to be sure."
"Horses get colds?"
"Of course. Horses get colds the same way you do—viruses spread from horse to horse.
Humans can prevent colds by washing their hands.
But horses can't do that!
So we prevent horse colds by keeping stalls and water clean."
"I hate when my nose gets stuffy," Jessica said.
"I have to breathe through my mouth!"
"Horses can only breathe through their noses," said Dr. Roy.
"Poor Buster." Jessica stroked the horse's nose.
"Does he need medicine?"
"Buster just needs rest and lots of water," Dr. Roy said, smiling.
Just then Mr. Petersen appeared.
"Ginger's all ready for you, Jessica!"
"Okay . . ." Jessica looked back at Dr. Roy and Buster.
"When can I ride Buster again?" she asked.
"You can probably ride him again in three to four weeks," Dr. Roy said.
"He needs at least one week of rest for every day that he had a fever."
"That's a long time," Jessica said, disappointed.
"Feel better, Buster."
"Don't be too sad," Dr. Roy called after her.
"You'll like Ginger. She's my favorite!"