Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 23: Daily Life Towards Summer

"This time it's 469. It's a full two kilograms heavier than when I debuted!"

After taking the weighed Mudanma back to the stable, Ogawa Katsu couldn't wait to report to his father.

"Thank you for your hard work, Asheng."

Ogawa Jō patted his head.

Although the progress is slow, Medo Hirano has indeed grown physically compared to when he first debuted.

If you don't observe carefully or are not the staff who interacts with it every day, it would be difficult to notice such subtle changes.

Because of its coat color, the body shape of the reed horse often gives people an unclear feeling.

However, some traces of the chest muscles that were covered by hair a few months ago can now be seen.

This is inseparable from Ogawa Masaru's careful care.

"Then I'll go report this good news to Brother Kitano, Mr. Kitano!"

"Well, let's go."

Xuhe Zhang nodded and sat down next to the computer.

I didn't notice that Ogawa Masaru changed the way he addressed Kitano.

Turn on the computer and record the current weight changes of your white horse in the horse management form.

Then, he held the mouse and fell into thought.

Medaima is a horse that can maintain its racing form even without much training.

Although he is not outstanding in terms of cardiopulmonary strength and physique, this alone is enough to give him a considerable advantage over horses of the same age.

What needs to be worried about is the development after the age of three.

By the age of three, it was inevitable to start competing in mixed age groups.

In addition to the more obvious physical difference, they are also likely to be no match for Gu Ma and others in terms of competition condition and experience.

"It's such a headache—"

While saying this, Xuhe Zhang's eyes were still fixed on the screen, and he kept adjusting the scheduled training plan.

Even if nothing is done, no one will stand up and blame you.

But once the direction of the attempt goes wrong, every move will be magnified infinitely under the spotlight.

This is the reality that racehorse trainers face.

The owner, Mr. Kitano, is not very keen on competitions and bounties, and rider Ochiai has not received any feedback that the horse's training level is insufficient.

Therefore, in fact, we only need to complete the grazing work honestly to deal with the requirements of all parties.

This is the easiest way to do it.

However, from the very beginning, he gained the trust of the Kitano owners, to the extent that it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was given full authority.

In this case, Ogawa Jō believes that he must at least make a considerable effort and trust.

"Although Pegasus's recovery speed is somewhat beyond our expectations, this level of training is sufficient."

It took some time, but Ogawa Jō finally arranged his training schedule for this week.

Mudaiba is not a racehorse with strong physical strength, but the fatigue accumulated from competitions and training seems to be eliminated well the next day after returning to the stable.

If horses weren't growing so slowly, this would be a potentially great asset.

On the other side, Kitano hung up the phone.

Then, he smiled unconsciously.

"Great!"

Although he had already said it once on the phone, he couldn't help but repeat it again.

When you visit in a few days, bring a few more boxes of hay.

With this intention, he flipped the sign in front of the clinic to read "Open."

A new day has begun.

Kitano walked slowly back to the lounge, and when he came out he was holding the new issue of "Youjun" and some cookies he bought at the pastry shop on the way.

I don't have any medical appointments scheduled today, which is a long time coming. If nothing unexpected happens, I can at least enjoy a few hours of leisure time.

While thinking this, a completely unfamiliar car stopped in front of the clinic.

Like a rental car.

Many horse enthusiasts come to Hokkaido during the summer vacation to visit the ranches in the Hidaka area.

Kitano guessed that they probably wanted to ask for directions.

Thinking of this, the two young men walked into the clinic carrying something together.

"Doctor, please save Kintaro!"

They carried the rather large husky to the counter, and one of them asked anxiously, "What... happened?"

Putting down the magazine in his hand, Kitano asked with a puzzled look.

The Husky in front of me looked a little overweight, and when he lay down, you could even see obvious fat around his waist.

Other than that, he looks pretty healthy.

He was even staring at the cookies on the table, drooling.

“And I’m…”

"It ate the buttercups—"

Kitano's expression instantly turned serious.

"sure?"

he asked.

The goldenseal plant contains protoanemonin, which can cause severe irritation to the oral mucosa and digestive tract if accidentally ingested.

The clinical symptoms are redness and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat with a noticeable burning sensation, frequent salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Now is the growing season for buttercups. In previous years, Kitano would encounter many cases of people accidentally eating buttercups at this time.

However, he didn't expect that the first case this year would be a Husky.

"Look, this should be Buttercup, right?"

The man raised his phone and enlarged a picture.

Kitano leaned his head in for a closer look, then said expressionlessly after a moment, "This is a dandelion."

He could still tell the difference between a dandelion and a buttercup.

"Ah?"

The two people holding the Husky were both stunned.

"But, Kintaro, he's been acting like he has no appetite since he ate this."

One person asked with some uncertainty.

"Could it be possible that it was already full at that time?"

Kitano took out a small biscuit and dangled it over the dog's nose.

Kintaro immediately opened his mouth wide and wagged his tail vigorously.

"What about frequent drooling?"

The other pointed to the thin transparent thread that continued to extend from the tip of Kintaro's tongue.

"That might have been because I had just exercised. But now."

Kitano stuffed the biscuit into his mouth.

The tail that was wagging continuously suddenly stopped.

"Wang Wang Wang!"

The Husky buried its head in the man's hands and let out a cry of obvious grievance.

"Maybe he's starting to get hungry."

"Of course, if you're worried, you can also measure your temperature or check if there are any oral problems."

Kitano took out the small flashlight again, opened the Husky's mouth and shone it for a while.

“Very healthy.”

He put away the flashlight.

“I-I see—”

The two looked at each other, and after a while they awkwardly took the Husky away from the counter.

After the two left, Kitano took out the magazine again.

Although this wasted a lot of time, I didn't feel angry.

As a practicing veterinarian, it is his responsibility to treat patients.

The two men walked into the clinic out of trust.

but--

It's really time to consider changing to a more recognizable sign.

Outside the clinic, the faint chirping of one or two cicadas could be heard at first, and then the sound began to grow louder.

Picking up the air conditioner remote control, Kitano turned it down another degree.

　Chapter Two might be delayed.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)