Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 321, Part 2: Mating Time
It was Wednesday morning, March 1st, just as the breeding season had begun.

I was woken up by the alarm I had set specifically before going to bed.

At 2:30 in the morning.

I didn't feel any fatigue washed away after a good rest; on the contrary, my body felt quite heavy from the moment I opened my eyes.

Upon entering the lounge, all the members were yawning and looked very sleepy.

It wasn't just because of the early wake-up time, but also because of the handling of the shipment of the Golden Horn to England.

After the temporary shuttle breeding operation of stallions, which lasted less than a month, ended, Golden Horn left behind a breeding stock of four stallions in Japan.

To be honest, there were slightly more occasions than I had imagined.

Besides Sugiyama and Noda, Mr. Nishiyama also unexpectedly sent a mare that had just entered the breeding stage.

Hinagiku Nishino's Children—

Although it has many aspects that make people want to complain, Golden Horn has managed to complete its mission in Japan this year quite successfully.

In addition, thanks to the cooperation of the Gumoia side, the transfer of the Dazzling Action foal was completed on paper for £185,000, which was slightly higher than expected.

Without wasting too much time, after the transfer was completed, the final accounts reports for the two periods, along with other materials prepared in advance, were submitted to the business department of the Miura Training Center, which was introduced by Yokoyama, Uchida and others.

Next, the ranch needs to work on the second phase of its breeding program.

That is, today's task.

After a long absence, I took on the work of a veterinarian seriously. After finishing my early morning stable inspection, I began the pre-breeding check on Moonshadow.

"Body temperature is healthy. Breathing rate is also at a normal level."

While waiting for the heart rate test results, we carefully observed the deer-haired horse's condition.

Unlike the humans who were all lethargic from waking up too early, Tsukikage looked full of energy.

Because of her estrus cycle, Tsukikage seemed more sensitive than usual, but overall she was much more relaxed than Anna, who was breeding mares in her early years.

"Heart rate normal. Well done, Luna."

Avoiding the estrus-prone area on its neck, it patted the deer-mane horse's head before picking up the leash hanging by the fence.

The next step is cleaning and repair.

Upon arriving at the pre-disinfected shower room, Zepp and Lavid were already waiting with their tools ready.

Picking up a special cloth and brush, Ravid brushed Moonshadow's fur with a more careful touch than usual.

This step is not only to remove dander and dirt to make the horses look better, but more importantly, to minimize the amount of dust and bacteria brought into the stallion.

Enjoying the gentle massage on her hair, Yueying's lower lip relaxed slightly, and she let out a satisfied "humming" sound from her nostrils.

It seems like she's in a pretty good mood.

After the treatment, which took longer than usual, was finished, Ravid nodded slightly to Zepp and then gave up his place.

While the German bent down to check the soles of the hooves, Ravid went around to the side and rear of Moonshadow and began to care for the tail.

Meanwhile, the veterinarians began the next phase of their work.

Dilute the povidone-iodine solution with warm water, and then place the disposable gloves and sterile gauze that will be used next on the surgical tray.

Once everything was ready, Lavid had finished the remaining care work and had wrapped the tail like a braid with special veterinary tape.

"Povidone-iodine solution used for disinfection must be diluted with warm water first, and should never be used directly under any circumstances."

While preparing for the disinfection before mating, they also gave an instructional demonstration to the surrounding members.

Seemingly startled by the sudden contact with the foreign object, Yueying shook her head restlessly.

However, with Kikuchi and Asayama, who were standing guard on either side of her, doing their best to calm her down, Kashima quickly regained her composure. "When disinfecting, wipe from the top of the vulva downwards to the labia. Absolutely do not reverse the direction, to avoid..."

This process is usually repeated two to three times, each time using new gauze to ensure thorough cleaning.

"Finally, after wiping away any disinfectant residue, you should let it air dry as much as possible. If you are in a hurry, you should pat it dry with a clean, sterile gauze."

After a brief disinfection and demonstration, Rachel Ho helped Moonshadow put on the breeding leg guards.

After replacing the bridles with softer nylon ones and confirming that all the necessary documents, including pedigree certificates, veterinary health certificates, and vaccination certificates, were brought, everyone except Kikuchi, who stayed behind, set off for the Shadai stallion in Anping Town.

Almost an hour has passed since we were about to start.

Although the most crucial moments may only be a few minutes or even seconds in the middle, the entire mating process takes far longer than one might imagine, starting from the consideration of compatibility.

Despite having drunk a specially prepared espresso in the morning, my eyelids gradually became heavy as the car swayed.

I tried my best not to doze off the whole way.

To minimize the stress from the moon's shadow, the journey of nearly 100 kilometers took two and a half hours longer than usual.

Upon arrival at the Shetai Stud Station, all the documents were first checked by the staff in charge of reception.

During the waiting period, the breeder would bring over a test horse to let Yueying get to know him.

"No problem, the signs of estrus are very obvious."

After the inseminator made that announcement, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

While waiting in the observation room on the second floor of the breeding warehouse, they encountered Teruya Yoshida, who had come to inspect the stallion station.

Logically speaking, the chances of meeting someone who is both a horse owner and a breeder are not small, but I never thought I would run into them at this time.

It's unbelievable that we'd run into each other during mating!

Thinking this through, I still bowed slightly and greeted them.

Good morning, Representative Yoshida.

Good morning, Mr. Xing!

It was a very energetic greeting, not at all like that of an eighty-year-old.

"As a breeder, preparing for breeding must have been very difficult at first, right?"

"It's true."

"Back then, I was also..."

The small talk to pass the time didn't last long before the mating was already complete.

"It looks like everything's going smoothly. Mr. Xing will soon become a central horse owner, right?"

"That is indeed the case."

"So, has the referrer been confirmed?"

"No, I haven't considered it yet."

The original plan was for Chairman Matsumoto to act as the introducer for becoming a Central Horse Owner, and this matter had been discussed with him a long time ago.

However, after the Arima Memorial at the end of last year, Chairman Matsumoto, who was already seriously ill, passed away soon after, as if his wish had been fulfilled.

"So--"

He paused for a moment, then Teruya looked over with a smile.

"If you don't mind, how about I act as your introducer?"

(End of this chapter)