There was no rush to expand to sensitive areas such as the abdomen or limbs, but the touch was limited to Ocean Fleet2024's neck.

"Good boy, good boy."

On the other side, Ogawa Katsu kept trying to calm the chestnut-haired horse with words and gentle pats on the shoulders.

Until Ocean Fleet2024 relaxed, Ogawa Jō kept repeating the same action.

"It's really difficult—"

Lead Ocean Fleet 2024 back to the stable and close the gate.

Both physically and mentally, you can feel obvious fatigue.

Judging from today's progress, even the most basic training content will probably take more than four months.

"But, at last there is a way."

They should be able to do more than Murata Ranch.

I caught a cold after getting caught in the rain this afternoon, so I only have one update today.

Chapter 40 Hoof Care Guide for Horses with Thin Hoofs

the next morning.

Kitano came to Nishiken Ranch, and Ogawa Masaru told him what happened during the training yesterday.

"Let Pegasus assist in training?"

Putting down the cardboard box in his hand, Kitano showed a surprised expression on his face.

"Is it finally speaking?"

There doesn't seem to be anything surprising.

After all, it was Pegasus whose [Wise] value was A-.

"No matter what, animals can't talk, right? Brother Kitano, your idea is too weird."

Ogawa Katsu looked at him with a somewhat strange look.

Then, he put into practice the Toastmasters Training Theory that he had just learned from his father.

"I see."

Kitano nodded.

I am already familiar with the horse's body, but there is still a lot to learn in other aspects.

He's still far from it.

"Asheng is really amazing."

It is very difficult for human beings as individuals to admit that others are better than themselves in some aspects.

Especially when the other party is inferior to you in age or qualifications.

But for Kitano, there is nothing to worry about.

He doesn't care too much about what others think.

"Great? Hehe, it's no big deal~"

The boy smiled proudly but a little shyly.

"Sheng is just parroting what others say. Mr. Kitano, please don't be fooled by this idiot."

After the truth was revealed, Kana Ogawa smiled smugly, as if her prank had been successful.

Ogawa Katsu glared at her angrily.

"Mr. Shimura will be here to give Oh-chan and Xiaohua their hoofs soon. Why don't you hurry over and get ready?"

The girl lifted the black hair on the edge of her face and glared back unwillingly.

".Know it!"

In this round of fight, Xuhe Sheng was undoubtedly at a disadvantage.

The boy picked up the leash dejectedly.

"Then I won't bother you here anymore."

Kitano said goodbye to the two with a smile.

"Goodbye, Kitano-san."

As he said this, Ogawa Katsu threw one of the leash ropes towards Ogawa Kanna.

"Goodbye, Mr. Kitano."

The girl said softly.

By the time the two men led the two one-year-old horses to the area for hoof trimming and bathing, farrier Shimura was already waiting there.

On the table, various hoof-fitting tools are neatly arranged in a row.

"Thank you for your hard work, Master Shimura."

Handing the one-year-old deer-haired horse called "Kohana" to Shimura, Ogawa Kanna bowed slightly in greeting.

"Nothing, this is our job."

Shimura stroked the deer-haired horse's neck all the way to its white-dyed legs.

There was no resistance.

"So docile..."

As he said this, he slowly lifted Xiaohua's left front leg.

"It looks like it's growing well, and its hooves are in very good health!"

Then, pick up the hoof thickness gauge and start to confirm the thickness of each area.

Although he is sometimes inevitably accused of being "inflexible", Shimura prefers to believe in accurate data rather than experience or feelings.

For a farrier, rigor is essential.

This is the philosophy he has consistently adhered to in his work over the past thirty years.

"This time, the heel can be kept a little higher."

Putting down the instrument in his hand, Shimura said.

With the current shape of the hoof, the pressure on the front hoof tip is a little too high.

Leaving the heel slightly higher can reduce the pressure on the front hoof.

The same consideration is used to maintain a certain curvature on the hoof sole.

Put on new horseshoes and use a file to remove the protruding parts of the nails.

Released the horseshoe between his legs, Shimura pounded his sore waist.

Then, the next one.

"Are you Xiaolin Liqi's child?"

He waved to the chestnut horse in front of him.

Although it was not the first time for Ocean Fleet2024 to put on the hoof, it still looked quite nervous.

"Relax a little, Oh-chan."

Ogawa Katsu kept comforting the frightened chestnut horse.

"It's really small. It must be very hard for it to run."

Shifting his gaze from the body, Shimura began to observe the chestnut-haired horse's legs.

It's a bit surprising that she's not the same slender type as her body shape.

Just touched it a little bit.

The joint between the hoof and the fetlock is relatively soft.

Muscles also give you a sense of strength.

"It looks like it has legs that can perform very well."

He couldn't help feeling sorry.

However, this is a very common thing.

Otherwise, "perfect horse racing" would not have become the ultimate goal pursued by generations of horse racers.

Lifting the chestnut horse's hoof, Shimura picked up the hoof thickness gauge.

"It's a very compact model, and the hoof wall is a bit thin."

The thickness of Ocean Fleet2024's hoof cuticle is only 6.5mm, while normally, the thickness of a horse's hoof box should be around 8-12mm.

A hoof wall that is too thin can reduce load-bearing capacity and can also make the hoof more susceptible to cracking and sensitivity.

After thinking for a while, Shimura decided to replace the chestnut horse with lighter aluminum shoes instead of continuing the previous farrier's idea of ​​using full-cover shoes.

Fully enclosed horseshoes can expand the weight-bearing area and distribute the pressure on the sole of the hoof as much as possible.

However, the disadvantage is that long-term use of fully enclosed horseshoes may restrict the natural growth of the hoof, making the thin hoof condition worse.

While the horseshoe was heating, Shimura used a hoof hook to clean the dirt and excess keratin from the bottom of the hoof.

Then, use a hoof tester to confirm the pressure distribution at various locations on the hoof.

"The hind legs need to be a little steeper. The front legs can maintain their current angle."

After having a rough plan in mind, he picked up the hoof knife at his feet.

Just like a sculptor in the process of creation, every stroke of the knife is chosen with great caution.

After completing the hoof trimming, the focus shifted to the burnt horseshoe.

According to the memory in his mind, he hammered the horseshoe into the corresponding shape.

Then, the horseshoe was pressed onto the sole of the hoof.

It's just right.

As if startled by the rising white smoke, Ocean Fleet2024 shook its body uneasily.

"Excuse me, could you hold that for me?"

Before officially starting to fit the horseshoes, there is one more thing to prepare.

He took the small box handed to him by Ogawa Sheng and took out the pink silicone from it.

After a brief kneading, the silicone, which resembles chewed gum, is pressed into the concave part in the middle of the hoof sole.

After the silicone gasket for cushioning comes the horseshoe part.

Even if there is no room for nailing, it is now possible to hoof thin hooves with adhesive.

Although it was a bit tedious, it was finally completed successfully.

After all four horseshoes were replaced, Shimura was sweating profusely.

"It's best to change the shoeing for this kid every four to five weeks. You can also try giving him some biotin supplements or flaxseed."

Shimura said as he bent down to apply hoof oil.

Although lightweight, aluminum horseshoes are not as durable as their iron counterparts.

In addition, when trimming the hooves of thin-hoofed horses, the principle of "more but less" should be followed.

Observe frequently and prune sparingly.

After putting on the horseshoe, Shimura signaled Ogawa Katsu to lead the chestnut horse for a few steps.

The gait is quite normal and there is nothing unusual.

perfect.

Chapter 41: Pre-match Stroll

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