Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 300 Accidents and Teaching

On the smooth road surface, there was a scribbled tire mark, like a child's doodle.

It almost turned into a traffic accident.

During this season, the most troublesome thing about going out in Hokkaido is the icy roads.

Road surfaces that freeze at sub-zero temperatures at night may melt around 7 or 8 a.m. as the sun gets stronger, forming what is known as "black ice" road surfaces.

During his first year working in Hokkaido, Kitano himself experienced a skidding accident.

Since then, I've become extra careful when driving through areas with COVID-19 and Jingnei in winter.

Back to the present, although no traffic accident occurred, the woman who got out of the car had a look of shock on her face.

Patting her chest, the woman with short, neat hair walked over, muttering "Thank goodness."

"It's been too long since you've done research in the countryside, Professor Yano."

"I just forgot to change to snow tires."

"Isn't this even worse for researchers?"

"After all, it's not needed in Sapporo."

So it really has been too long since I've been out.

Yano returned to Hokkaido University a few years ago as an assistant professor.

Logically speaking, Kitano, who was studying in a different classroom, shouldn't have much to do with her.

However, since the goal at the time was to directly enter the workforce, Professor Yamazaki, my mentor, recommended that I audit classes in the physiology department.

Thanks to Yano, who was a teaching assistant in the physiology classroom at the time, I learned a lot and eventually became a veterinarian.

While observing the ranch's surroundings, Yano exclaimed, "Wow, that must cost a lot of money."

"Now you're a well-known alumnus of our veterinary medicine department!"

Before his slight sense of smugness could even take hold, Yano quickly added another sentence—

"Especially in Professor Katagiri's reproductive science classroom."

It goes without saying that it will undoubtedly bring a bad reputation.

Upon hearing this conversation, Kikuchi, who was leading the way, covered his face with his hand and let out a rather deliberate sigh.

As he stole a glance, the corner of one of the Germans' mouths twitched incessantly.

As I walked into the stable corridor, the various noises finally subsided for the time being.

Nodding towards Asayama, who was holding the leash, Yano, who had been teasing him all the way, suddenly put on a pair of glasses as if switching forms.

His demeanor suddenly became serious.

Some sharp eyes first targeted the hooves.

"Hmm, the hooves look very clean—"

"After all, it's the most basic common sense."

Hoof care is crucial for breeding mares.

During the period when a mare is pregnant and her weight is constantly increasing, timely cleaning of dirt accumulated between her hooves and other nursing measures can effectively protect the health of her limbs.

Of course, Mejiro Ranch's regular hoof care is not limited to breeding mares.

Although for a limited number of people, the workload will become even heavier.

"Those are really impressive muscles. What's the injury situation?"

After saying that, Yano got up from the ground.

"Mild laminitis risk, low recurrence rate."

I subconsciously used the tone I used when answering questions while reading a book.

"feed?"

As Yano asked the question, he waved his hand and gave her a questioning look.

"We've stopped all the energy concentrates. The basic ration is grass hay. Don't worry about touching Anna; she's very well-behaved."

So the teaching assistant boldly extended his palm, while also keeping his mouth busy.

"It's right not to use legume hay, but what about supplements?"

"We gradually reduced it starting last month, and basically stopped it entirely." "Continue to use Vitamin E and Selenium, and you can add a little flaxseed oil as appropriate."

Flaxseed oil?

Yano, who hadn't expected such a question, stopped what he was doing while performing a palpation.

Both the man and the horse looked over at the same time.

"It has anti-inflammatory properties and also promotes reproductive health."

After explaining in a rather helpless tone, Yano returned to the examination at hand.

How's your exercise level these days?

"Twelve hours of collective herding."

"Group grazing is fine, but if possible, add 30 to 40 minutes of walking."

"understood."

During the initial recovery and metabolic adjustment phase after retirement, the main goal is to reduce Anna's muscle firmness and soften her physique.

Eat a lot and then minimize physical activity.

This is a common misconception in adjusting horse racing to breed mares.

In fact, appropriate activity can promote blood circulation and help muscles break down and metabolize more slowly.

Although this was learned from books on kinesiology geared towards humans.

"Regular grazing and low-intensity activities can help alleviate stress or stereotyped behaviors that may occur after retirement."

"In addition, contact with gentle companions can also help retired horses socialize and relax psychologically."

Just as Yano was explaining, Kitano and the other club members watching all showed somewhat subtle expressions.

As far as I can remember, Anna adapted to the ranch on her very first day, even faster than Muu-chan did at the time.

In addition-

A gentle companion.

I briefly recalled the candidates for herding in the same group.

The two horses, who were initially worried about a potential conflict, actually got along quite well.

Even if the other ponies don't develop a dependence on each other, they will at least respect those who are older than them.

As for the other herding partner in the same group—

"Sister Duobo has already corrupted Huibang."

Yano slightly curved the corners of his mouth at such concerns, and then couldn't help but laugh.

"Unless they are stupid, mature horses rarely change their principles easily, just like humans in this respect."

Since it comes from an animal psychology researcher, we have no choice but to believe it.

After that, Yano took over and reviewed Anna's various medical reports.

"Muscle enzyme levels are normal, and joint condition is fairly optimistic. However, her estrus cycle is completely disrupted—"

Putting down the report in his hand, Yano couldn't help but shake his head.

Estrous cycle suppression or disorder due to high-intensity exercise is a fairly common problem for high-level competitive mares.

Even this expert could only offer conservative advice such as "keep the ultrasound monitoring" and "adjust the amount and intensity of activity".

"The recovery period may last for some time, but we can start preparing for the mid-term adjustment plan."

Yano patted Anna's head, his tone softening slightly.

"The ideal scenario would be to place this girl in a large pasture with slightly undulating terrain."

As he spoke, Yano showed a somewhat troubled expression.

"Although it may be a little hard to find, the natural movement of going up and down hills is better for reshaping body lines and exercising core muscles, rather than specific running muscles."

The next moment, Kitano and the other members' expressions all became somewhat strange.

Grazing land with undulating terrain —

Aren't all Mejiro Ranch places like this?

(End of this chapter)