Chapter 228: Chapter 226: Poor Foal, Jiang Feng’s Decision

Life on the ranch is as usual.

Grazing, cleaning up dung, feeding, taking care of sick animals, delivering births, nursing, etc.

Everyone is very busy every day.

Around four o’clock in the afternoon, the weather is nice.

The grass on the prairie is extremely thick, everywhere is a sea of green as far as the eye can see.

Combining with the undulating terrain, it looks as if the earth is covered by this prairie.

There are separations and reunions among the animals on the ranch, the joy of newborns, and the helplessness of aging, sickness, and death.

Jiang Feng was originally inspecting the situation on the prairie.

This is roughly what his main work is every day.

At this moment, he suddenly received a message from Ma He.

"Ranch owner, come and have a look over here, there’s a mare lying on the grass and can’t get up."

Ma He’s voice was a bit anxious.

Hearing Ma He’s words, Jiang Feng quickly asked through the walkie-talkie:

"Which horse is it?"

"It’s Ruo Shui, she suddenly collapsed, seems very off."

Jiang Feng rode on Red Hare and galloped swiftly towards where the horses were released.

The conversation between the two was heard by netizens, and the viewers in the live stream immediately became very concerned about the ranch’s situation.

On the way, Jiang Feng spoke to everyone:

"Ruo Shui is a mare, she gave birth to a foal just four days ago."

"Unexpectedly, only four days after the foal was born, Ruo Shui already has a problem."

"I have to go and see."

Jiang Feng’s expression carried a hint of urgency.

Before long, he arrived at the place where the mare had fallen.

At this moment, a dark-colored mare lay weakly on the ground, her neck limply collapsed on the earth, looking utterly powerless.

Jiang Feng immediately dismounted and came over to assess the situation.

Beside the mare was a foal.

The foal would make warning sounds when it saw people approaching, trying to drive them away.

However, as soon as people came close, it would immediately be frightened and run a few steps further away.

The little one was very anxious, it wanted to protect its mother.

But the mare was too weak.

Jiang Feng felt somewhat heavy-hearted, he squatted beside the mare to carefully examine the situation.

Seeing the mare’s expression, Jiang Feng’s brows slightly furrowed.

"How is it, ranch owner?"

Ma He asked with concern.

Jiang Feng sighed, "It’s not a usual symptom, could be postpartum septicemia."

"If so, she basically can’t survive."

"Even for humans, it’s hard to treat unless they are sent to the hospital promptly."

However, Jiang Feng did not give up hope of saving the mare.

He and Ma He tried to help the mare stand up.

The mare was also trying hard to get up, but she could only exert force with her neck, her limbs were entirely powerless.

The disease was more serious than imagined.

The live-stream viewers were also in an uproar.

[What’s wrong with this horse? Looks so pitiful!]

[Must be calcium deficiency, that’s what this looks like.]

[Calcium deficiency wouldn’t make it unable to stand, only a malignant disease would cause this.]

[Sigh, there’s a saying that strong mules and fragile horses, horses indeed are prone to infections!]

Seeing the mare couldn’t stand up, Jiang Feng could only use alternative methods.

At this time, the foal was anxiously running back and forth, emitting bursts of sad whines.

When the foal cried, several surrounding horses all gathered around.

The foal, seeing its mother surrounded by humans, would occasionally charge in to intimidate the humans.

But Jiang Feng and Ma He both ignored it.

Jiang Feng glanced at the foal and saw tears already falling from its eyes.

"The foal is crying."

Jiang Feng remarked with emotion.

The drone’s camera focused on the foal, and the viewers also saw the tears in its eyes.

Everyone was touched by the emotion.

[Animal emotions are truly pure!]

[Seeing this, I’ve decided not to eat horse meat in the future!]

[Horses truly connect with humans!]

[It’s so heartbreaking to watch!]

Jiang Feng squatted down to carefully examine the mare’s condition.

His expression carried a hint of compassion.

Not every illness can be cured, at least not with the current level of human medical technology.

Moreover, Jiang Feng judged that in just a few hours, the mare would die.

The illness came like a crashing mountain, but left like sloughing silk.

"My fault, I didn’t thoroughly check Ruo Shui’s physical condition after the foal was born."

"It’s too late now."

Jiang Feng felt slightly self-reproachful.

In reality, whether checked or not, there would be no effect with this illness.

Much like most cancers, once contracted, it’s akin to a death sentence.

The mare couldn’t stand up, and human strength couldn’t move her unless a crane was used to lift her upright.

Jiang Feng pondered silently.

In the live streaming room, many kind-hearted netizens suggested that it might be postpartum calcium deficiency and advised consulting an internet-famous host who uses fire therapy to heal.

But Jiang Feng knew that it was postpartum septicemia, a very rare and stubborn illness, and the mare’s life was nearing its end.

Jiang Feng looked into the mare’s eyes, which showed reluctance and sadness.

She lay sideways, her head drooping on the ground, unable to lift it.

At that moment, the little foal came running over.

The little foal seemed to understand that its mother was seriously ill, and it too kept whimpering.

A few horses were watching nearby; even Red Hare quietly observed from a distance.

Before long, a van drove directly onto the grassland.

The visitor was veterinarian Liu He, who had also come when problems arose with the farm’s cattle earlier.

After getting out of the car, Liu He and another assistant approached, carrying several bottles of infusion.

The best and fastest way to handle this disease is still through intravenous infusion.

"This situation is severe. It’s not just calcium deficiency nor simply acute intestinal obstruction. This rapid deterioration indicates a severe illness,"

Liu He examined the mare’s condition and said seriously.

"Let’s try the infusion first; it seems quite difficult."

Upon hearing Liu He’s words, Jiang Feng gently nodded and then said,

"It’s postpartum septicemia, leading to acute intestinal obstruction and organ failure."

Hearing this, Liu He sighed,

"We can only try our best to save her, but this horse is in great pain. Perhaps it would be better to let her go early."

At this moment, the little foal rushed forward, unwilling to leave, and nestled in the embrace of the mare.

The mare used her last bit of strength to lift her head and call out once to the little foal.

The little foal understood its mother’s call, lowered its head, and nursed at the mare’s teat.

This was the mare’s last time nursing!

The scene was deeply sorrowful.

Liu He began setting up the IV drip for the mare, and everyone was doing their best to save her life.

Hadan drove a tractor onto the pasture, which could lift the mare by securing her with a rope.

Of course, they couldn’t lift her just yet; they had to see the effects of the treatment first.

Time ticked by, second by second.

The atmosphere in the live streaming room was somber.

Jiang Feng stood nearby, his expression somewhat downcast.

After the little foal finished nursing, it nudged the mare’s cheek with its head and then stood guarding by her side.

An hour later, the mare still couldn’t be saved.

Jiang Feng held the little foal in his arms.

Netizens saw tears streaming down the little foal’s eyes as it truly cried.

Previously, this little foal never approached people, only staying by the mare’s side.

Now that the mare was gone, the little foal stayed close to Jiang Feng, no longer resisting.

Being newly born, it’s fearful of everything.

However, perhaps this is also good, as at least it can quickly move past its grief and get to know the world anew.

"It’s too late; we couldn’t save her," Liu He observed the mare’s condition and softly sighed.

Jiang Feng looked dejected, simply holding the little foal, and said,

"With such an acute illness, there’s nothing that could be done."

"You learn from experience; next time a mare gives birth, we will be more vigilant."

More viewers joined the live stream.

Seeing the mare lying lifelessly on the ground brought unease to their hearts.

And witnessing the foal’s tears, some soft-hearted viewers couldn’t help but cry along.

Although it’s difficult to let go, life must go on.

Jiang Feng organized the farm workers to lift the mare with the tractor.

Bugude tied the ropes around the mare’s body, securing them at several places.

As the mechanical arm rose, the mare was lifted up too.

At this moment, the little foal let out a helpless screech; looking distraught, it made others feel pity.

Netizens expressed:

[Little foal, don’t be sad. Life with the farm owner will surely be better!]

[Move past the sadness quickly and live well!]

[Farm owner, make sure to take good care of this little foal!]

[I’ve set my heart on this little foal. As long as the farm owner treats it well, I’ll always support!]

Barrage comments rushed in.

Today’s stream was different from usual, no longer light and lively, but filled with sadness and empathy.

The mare was loaded onto the vehicle and finally taken away.

Jiang Feng chose to bury her deep in the pasture, where the peony flowers bloomed.

After a long silence, Jiang Feng spoke to the netizens in the live stream room:

"Ruo Shui was naturally birthed in the wild, right on the grasslands, without much care."

"Often, the farm’s camels, cattle, sheep, and horses are naturally given birth."

"With larger numbers of animals, situations like today’s can occur."

"In the future, I will pay special attention to newly birthed horses and camels."

"The same goes for cattle and sheep, though I may not be able to attend to the sheep as much, but I will try."

"We’ll try to prevent today’s incident from happening again."

Jiang Feng looked at the little foal beside him, determined to take good care of it.

The netizens also felt deeply empathetic.

Everyone hoped the little foal would grow up healthy and happy.