Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

After receiving the subsidy as a stable attendant, the newly appointed hoof trimmer Zep volunteered to help share the stable attendant duties.

Judging from the results, the cooperation from Zep was completely counterproductive.

However, this does not lead to doubts about the quality of German hoof trimmers in their jobs.

“Hoofing is a proven technique that anyone can replicate, not a craft based on intuition or experience.”

This was what Zep said on his first day at the stable.

Such remarks can be described as completely arrogant.

However, Zep soon proved what he said with practical actions.

The suitcases and backpack he brought were filled with hoof trimmer's tools.

In terms of equipment alone, it is far ahead of its counterparts in Dajing and even the central government.

In addition, computers were used to complete the restoration modeling and analysis of Mejiro Sakuya's four hooves.

In Dajing, such technology is unimaginable.

Angles, areas, centers of gravity, and even the growth trends of the hoof wall—everything becomes something that can be recorded digitally.

A German farrier even proposed the unprecedented idea of ​​using a new type of horseshoe filled with shock-absorbing padding to correct the breakover point of Mejiro Sakuya's right hind leg.

From the location——

Although they have been engaged in industries closely related to horse racing for a long time, both Huangshan and Xuhe Sheng had no idea about the professional term of hoof trimmers before.

For this reason, Zep had to spend quite a bit of extra time explaining things to the two of them.

Simply put, the liftoff point is the area at the toe of the horse's hoof that pushes the heel off the ground and acts as a lever during the horse's liftoff process.

When the stride is aligned with the starting position, the horse's hooves spend more time in contact with the ground, are closer to the ground in the air, and take longer, more efficient strides.

The longer stride length gives the horse's hoof more time to cushion the impact of the ground on the heel, and the energy dissipation characteristics of the hoof will significantly reduce the risk of injury to racehorses while running.

In a healthy hoof, establishing the correct take-off point tends to be easier if the inner and outer leaflets fit tightly together.

An experienced hoof trimmer can even visually determine the approximate area of ​​the hoof that is suitable for trimming the horse's hooves.

But that's not the case with Mejiro Sakuya's right hind leg.

In the case of limp, the process of its leaving the ground cannot be analyzed using conventional thinking.

Therefore, previous farriers, including Mr. Shimura, had to use the most conservative approach and set the distance quite far forward.

The new hoof trimmer, Zep, is determined to find the right place to leave the horse.

With the idea of ​​giving it a try, Huangshan reported the use of special horseshoes to the Dajing Racecourse in advance.

Zepp first spent a few days completing the analysis of Mejiro Sakuya's game and training videos.

During this period, the computer in the lounge was almost monopolized by him.

“I don’t quite understand what this is, but it looks pretty impressive.”

This is what Huangshan and other people in the stable think of Zepu's behavior.

They looked at Zep's work with curiosity and awe.

Even Majima from the next stable would come over from time to time to watch the fun after hearing that there was a foreign hoof trimmer on the ranch.

"Since this is the person Mr. Kitano has chosen, there is absolutely no mistake!"

At the very beginning, this new trainer, who was also a bit reckless, had a mysterious trust in Zep.

After learning that they both belonged to the Mejiro fan club, the two quickly overcame their age difference and became friends that attracted everyone's attention.

After a few days of busyness that others could not understand, the day finally arrived when Zepp adjusted the horseshoes for Mejiro Sakuya.

Precision

This is the most intuitive impression of outsiders like Huangshan and Xuhe Sheng.

There was not a single unnecessary blow, and the hoof knife fell to the bottom of the hoof as if its trajectory had been planned in advance.

Then comes the installation of the horseshoes.

The bedding material used in the stables is not very clear to everyone.

It is said that the departure point has been moved back by about 1.5mm.

Although he didn't quite understand, Ogawa Masaru admired Zepu's efforts.

Of course, this admiration for professional skills has nothing to do with his current mood.

After leaving his job as a hoof trimmer, Zep seemed to have turned back into the reckless German youth he once was.

"I'm sorry, but that's too big of a hole in the bag."

Zep shook the bag of oats in his hand with a look of grievance.

"Isn't the measuring cup right next to it?"

Pointing at the container next to Zep, Ogawa Sheng covered his head with a look of pain.

"Hey! So there really is one—"

The German hoof trimmer's answer made the white-haired boy completely determined.

Never let this guy near the stable except when the farrier is at work!

At this time, Arashiyama, who had just finished his New Year's visit to the shrine, also returned to the stable.

"Happy New Year, Master Huangshan."

The two stopped playing around and spoke honestly.

"Happy New Year."

After a simple New Year's greeting, Arashiyama hung the amulet he had obtained from Katsuma Shrine outside the stable.

"Please take care of me in the new year."

He bowed slightly to the behemoth in the stable.

Mejiro Sakuya, who was dozing off, seemed to nod her head.

It was not until the feed was poured into the bowl that the deer-hair horse started to move as if it had officially started.

In the evening, Wada, the main rider, arrived at the stable.

This is the first running-in training between man and horse.

Watching Mejiro Sakuya carrying Wada onto the training ground, even Arashiyama couldn't help but cast a nervous look at them.

"How about it?"

After the training, he looked up and asked Hetian on horseback.

"very good."

Wada nodded slightly and answered in a very calm voice.

Unlike the rumored banquet minister, the rider Wada is seen as steady and taciturn by other people in the camp.

When coming and going, Hetian's face always looked calm.

"Is it really that good? Or is it that my true thoughts are hard to express?"

Ogawa Katsu couldn't help but start to have wild thoughts.

After leading Mejiro Sakuya into the stable, the deer-haired horse tilted its head and rubbed his palm.

With a heavy heart, the boy patted Mejiro Sakuya's head.

"Do your best this year, Miss."

Chapter 90 The Wind Rises

There was a slight pain deep in his eyes, and Kitano's eyelids twitched.

On the other side of the glass window, the afternoon sky of Shinagawa was cut vertically into long and thin strips.

Outside the blinds, the winter sun wasn't very hot.

But it's still a bit dazzling.

I picked up my phone and the time displayed on the screen was 1pm.

Still quite a bit of room.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

The scheduled flight will depart at 5:00 in the evening.

Then, it arrived at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport at exactly 11:00 a.m. local Saudi time.

At the stables, Ogawa Katsu had already set off earlier with the horse carriage.

The rest of the expedition will meet at Haneda Airport and board the same flight to the Middle East.

I lifted the quilt and could clearly feel the drop in body temperature.

Even in February, it's still cold enough to wear just socks.

However, this is not the case after arriving in Saudi Arabia.

The clothes in the backpack are mostly summer styles.

Although it is still early, it is indeed the season when the heat starts to set in in the Middle East.

After stamping his feet to wash his face and shaving, he hesitantly patted the toner he had just bought that morning onto his face.

This is the style recommended by Kanna Ogawa.

It is said to be quite popular among those born in their twenties after the millennium.

Perhaps because he is a member of the "enlightenment generation", Kitano hardly ever uses lotion.

In his opinion, this can be regarded as a "luxury" that is linked to waste.

And by 2026, won’t the so-called “millennial generation” also be entering their 30s?

Looking at the somewhat cramped makeup mirror in the hotel bathroom, a corner of my mind had some vague thoughts.

Then, I used some hairspray to style my hair.

The so-called "casual" means making the face that looks relaxed after waking up a little tighter.

Before going out, I put on a casual suit of an unidentified brand recommended by Dr. Kobayashi.

It is an off-white style.

The tie was chosen to be a slightly darker dark green than the winning suit.

I picked up the suitcase by the door and set off.

It contains various certifications including international health certificates and vaccination records.

On the way to the airport, the sky outside the car window looked out of reach.

Driving over the viaduct, the azure blue sea and soft yellow light flow around Keihin Island.

The air conditioner in the car blew a drowsy warm breeze.

"Sakuya should have arrived at the airport by now, right?"

A long cloud of airplanes passed by the end of his sight, and Kitano couldn't help but think.

At the last weighing, it had reached 503 kilograms, a huge number for a mare.

However, after transportation, the weight will likely drop by five to ten kilograms.

The energy accumulated in advance is precisely to cope with such consumption.

On the part of Master Arashiyama, he focused on training Mejiro Sakuya's hind limb muscles.

Mejiro Sakuya, who made her debut by running on a sand track in Menbie, has developed well-developed forelimbs.

But for various reasons, the hind limbs are relatively weak.

The Middle East is a mixed track between grass and mud, which requires the use of the upper hind limbs.

"Like a little chestnut hat that just arrived at the center, exert force lightly."