**Chapter 33: Multi-Party Discussion Meeting**
Some time later, Ogawa Take and Tanaka also arrived at the lounge.
Accompanying them was Mr. Shimura, the farrier.
Before the discussion officially began, Kitano distributed a series of photocopies, including electromyography, MRI (hind limb localized), and X-ray results, to everyone.
Upon completion of the transaction, along with the transfer of ownership, comprehensive neurological examinations and imaging diagnostic reports were also provided.
"It's a stable-phase symptom. How does she run?"
After a quick glance at the report in his hand, Tanaka first asked the question he was most concerned about.
"There is no obvious compensatory lameness in her gait while running, and the flexion is not severe."
Ogawa Take said, opening his phone and playing a slow-motion video of Resistance Queen running in a straight line.
At Kitano's request, he had conducted a simple test of Resistance Queen's running gait.
"The flexion angle should be fine. Were there any abnormalities before or after the test?"
Nodding, Tanaka continued to ask.
"During warm-up, the horse's body trembles slightly, and after a period of intense exercise, the lameness becomes more noticeable when walking."
Ogawa Take replied.
Although he didn't hold much hope at first, Resistance Queen's performance exceeded his expectations.
Even with lameness, he could clearly feel the hidden power within the horse's body.
"In that case, she can at least get a G2 to G3 rating."
Tanaka said with a smile.
According to the rules set by the Japan Racehorse Association, lameness in racehorses is divided into five grades, from G1 to G5, based on severity.
G1 rated lame horses show no abnormalities throughout the race, with only slight muscle tremors appearing after warm-up.
In this situation, they can even run in Central G1 races normally after a veterinarian confirms they are sound.
The G2 rating standard is a single flexion angle of less than 30° in the initial stage, with no compensatory lameness throughout.
While not allowed to run in G1 races, G2 rated lame horses can enter most graded stakes and open races other than G1.
If flexion occurs at least once within every two hundred meters, but the straight gait is unaffected, it will be classified as a G3 rating.
G3 level lame horses are prohibited from participating in all Central graded stakes races, and even for open races, they require strict veterinary examination.
However, for local races, a G3 rating is already sufficient to run in all races except exchange graded stakes.
As for G4 rated lame horses, they usually have reached the point of continuous compensatory lameness.
If they want to continue racing, they can only consider switching to jump racing.
The lowest, G5, is the extent where they cannot even complete a 1000-meter training session.
In this situation, lame horses will be prohibited from running in any race.
Judging from her performance in the video, Resistance Queen's lameness while running was not as severe as when walking, and there was even a good chance she could achieve a G1 rating.
However, due to the short distance shown, Tanaka preferred to estimate conservatively.
"If there are no problems, before her debut, besides three hydrotherapy sessions during the week, I plan to arrange two days in the round pen and one day of long-reining to improve her hind limb coordination."
Putting away his phone, Ogawa Take began to explain the training plan to everyone.
"No problem. Additionally, for round pen training, you can try combining it with ground pole exercises to improve gait symmetry."
Tanaka affirmed the training plan set by Ogawa Take, then added.
As a veteran Trainer, he had encountered many lame horses over the years, and naturally had some experience in how to conduct targeted training.
The two looked at Kitano.
"After training, pay attention to stretching and hot compresses for the hind limb flexor muscles to avoid excessive tension in the hind limb muscles."
"As for the specific content of the training, I'll leave it to Mr. Ogawa and Tanaka to arrange."
He nodded, indicating he had no other questions.
"Leave it to me, Kitano!"
Ogawa Masaru, standing nearby, patted his chest.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself. Caring for a lame horse is not as easy as you think."
Ogawa Take said with a smile, patting his head.
"How about we go observe her in the stable?"
After repeatedly comparing the slow-motion video and the report several times, Shimura slowly suggested.
"No problem, please follow me, everyone."
Ogawa Take was the first to stand up, leading the way.
Upon entering the stable, Resistance Queen was burying her head in the feed trough, slowly chewing hay.
She merely twitched her ears slightly at the sight of the several people who appeared, then made no other movements.
Entering the stable, Shimura crouched down to examine the affected hoof.
"The length of the heel needs to be shortened a bit more, and the pressure on the Achilles tendon might be a bit high. How about trying to slightly lower the angle of the hoof?"
Shimura said, gesturing an angle in front of Resistance Queen's hoof.
"Also, for the front hooves, you can try switching to aluminum wide-web shoes. And if you add a silicone cushioning pad to the hind hooves, it can reduce a lot of the recoil force from the ground."
Kitano adopted all of the suggestions from Shimura.
Even if it meant several more fixed expenses.
"Her bone structure looks quite impressive, and her muscle mass is far beyond the level of a two-year-old filly."
On the other side, Tanaka was also observing Resistance Queen's body, preparing to use it as a reference for arranging her debut race.
"Her temperament is also very stable; I imagine even someone who has never ridden a horse could sit steadily on her back."
He thought, writing something in his notebook.
"However, besides the lameness, her overly stable personality also makes one a bit worried."
After a slight hesitation, he still labeled Resistance Queen as [prone to sluggishness].
"She's the type that might need some external stimulation to exert her strength."
Finally, he wrote this concluding remark at the bottom of the page.
"Mr. Kitano, do you have any preferences regarding this child's main Jockey?"
Under normal circumstances, for a racehorse with good physique and a relaxed demeanor like this, Tanaka would consider having the stable's top Jockey, Hattori Shigeji, take over.
Hattori's whip work was quite experienced, and he could provide good encouragement for this type of racehorse.
However, before making a decision, he first had to ask the Horse Owner for his opinion.
Finding a suitable Jockey for the Horse Owner to race is also part of the Trainer's duties.
"How about Ochiai?"
After a brief consideration, Kitano spoke a name.
For him, the available options were actually very limited.
So far, the only Jockey he had interacted with was Ochiai Genta.
This Jockey, of similar age and serious demeanor, had left a good impression on Kitano.
Coupled with Ochiai's faultless riding in the previous two races, he quickly had a candidate.
"Genta? I'll try to communicate with him."
Although somewhat surprised, Tanaka quickly agreed.