Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 31: Transport of Racehorses

"It's even worse than most of the stuff listed on Rakuten's used horse market."

This is Ogawa Jō’s direct evaluation of Ocean Fleet 2024.

However, when he received the ranch transfer request from Kitano, he agreed very readily.

Yearlings purchased by owners typically continue to spend some time on the production pasture.

However, there are exceptions.

If the purchaser is also a horse owner and producer, or has a closer relationship with a ranch, a transfer request will often be made to the producing ranch.

The producer of Ocean Fleet 2024 is Murata Farm, which has a good track record of producing colts both locally and centrally.

Both the personnel and facilities far exceed those of a small ranch like Nishiken.

However, Kitano still applied to transfer the ranch.

The character of livestock is the result of the dynamic interaction between innate genetics and acquired environment.

As a veterinarian, he has a clear understanding of this.

The current character of Ocean Fleet2024 cannot be entirely blamed on the ranch as the producer.

But it is undeniable that the ranch has exerted more or less influence in this process.

Judging from the results, there are not many positive aspects of this impact.

"The total, including tax, is 6.6 million yen. Please keep the receipt."

Once you receive the certification document from the staff of the Hokkaido market, the transaction is officially completed.

As the entrusted party, Xuhe Zhang began to go through the handover procedures.

Masaru Ogawa and Kanna Ogawa will then be responsible for getting the two one-year-old ponies to the transport carriage.

As a horse owner and producer, Nishiken naturally has its own horse transportation tools.

This special vehicle, commonly known as the "horse bus", is not too rare in Shinkansen Town, a horse-producing area.

In the southern Kanto region, when horse owners and producers implement racehorse transportation, they often choose to entrust it to a subsidiary company of JRA that specializes in transportation business.

However, in Hokkaido, where transportation is not convenient and there are many small and medium-sized ranches, producers usually buy their own horse-drawn carriages.

From the outside, the shape of this type of vehicle is often similar to that of a minibus, while the interior layout is like a simplified stable.

Nishiken's horse carriage is a Fighter produced by Mitsubishi. The carriage can accommodate four racehorses and two stable boys who are responsible for taking care of them during the journey.

Kanna Ogawa easily led the one-year-old deer-hair mare she had photographed into the horse-drawn carriage.

Then, he crossed his arms and looked at his brother who was sweating profusely.

"Be good, don't be afraid"

Ogawa Masaru patted the horse's back gently, trying to calm Ocean Fleet2024's tension.

The whites of the chestnut horse's eyes were exposed, and its nostrils had been making a "puffing" sound from the beginning.

Even the staff who were helping on the side had a helpless expression.

"Okay, I won't hurt you."

The boy's movements became more cautious, fearing that a careless mistake would only increase the stimulation to Ocean Fleet2024.

Horses are five to ten times more sensitive than humans to sudden movements and sounds, and thoroughbreds are among the best.

Not to mention Ocean Fleet2024, which is considered extremely sensitive even among thoroughbreds.

"How about trying to put 'equipment' on it?"

Ogawa Kana suddenly spoke.

"Want to get 'equipped'?"

Xuhe Sheng paused in his movements.

However, he still followed Ogawa Kanna's advice.

For racehorses that are not good at transportation, some equipment is often used to assist in reducing the stress they endure during transportation.

Earmuffs, headgear, eye masks, shadow rings
In a desperate attempt, Sheng Xuhe quickly equipped Ocean Fleet2024 with a full set of equipment.

Although the chestnut horse showed resistance throughout the whole process, fortunately, it did not resist too violently.

After being fully geared up, Ocean Fleet2024 finally managed to move its hooves a little. With the help of several staff members, they finally managed to get the chestnut horse onto the carriage.

"It seems like you've been through a tough battle—"

This was exactly what Ogawa Jō saw after finishing his discussion with Kitano.

"We'll have a lot of work ahead of us, Dad."

After stretching his slightly sore arms, Ogawa Katsu said with a wry smile.

Although it was only a very short time, his time with Ocean Fleet2024 had already made him physically and mentally exhausted.

In comparison, even dealing with Mudaihei when he was angry seemed much easier.

"We've only just started, cheer up!"

Ogawa Jō patted the boy's shoulder.

"However, Mr. Kitano really has a unique vision."

So far, the three horses that Kitano has handed over to Nishiken for management are all the type that easily leave a deep impression on people.

In a sense, this can also be considered as the skill of horse judgement.

After shaking his head again, Xuhe Zhang closed the car door and walked to the driver's seat.

When the vehicle started, Ocean Fleet2024 let out an uneasy roar.

The chestnut horse then tried to circle in the tight space.

And it didn't work.

Despite their small size, each horse was allocated extremely limited space in the carriage, and the traction rope was firmly fastened to the railing.

There isn't much room for them to maneuver on the car.

There are certainly safety considerations involved, but for Nishiken, it is more of an economic reason.

Even though it was a used truck with a considerable mileage, the price of this truck still exceeded 6 million yen.

Horse racing is such an expensive sport.

It is said that some horse owners in the central government will customize transport carriages for their racehorses, so that they can handle even overseas expeditions well.

But for Nishiken, that was too far away.

"Play some music for it, Sheng!"

After taking a look at the situation inside the car through the transparent observation window behind the driver's seat, Ogawa Zhang said.

It is not acceptable to transport it in this state.

For racehorses that are vulnerable to transport, every transfer between the track and pasture must be treated with caution.

If the transportation work is not handled properly, it may take a week or two to restore the status.

Not to mention the weight you might lose from long-distance transportation.

For a small-handled horse like Ocean Fleet2024, a sudden weight loss could even be life-threatening.

"Music?"

"You idiot, you still have a lot to learn!"

After tapping her brother's head, Ogawa Kana took out her cell phone and opened the music player.

Adjust the volume to a suitable level and click the play button.

A soothing music suddenly sounded in the carriage.

"If it still has an appetite, try feeding it something to distract its attention."

"But if it's a case of motion sickness, forget it."

After giving the instructions, the girl observed Ocean Fleet2024's reaction.

Although the effect is limited, it does make me look less nervous.

On the other side, the deer-haired mare had already begun to shake her head rhythmically to the music.

(End of this chapter)