Frequently Asked Questions

 

How does the adoption process begin? 

You must be an approved adopter with New Vocations to visit or bring home any adoptable horses or NV grads. So if you don’t have an approved application on file, this is where you’ll need to start! You can fill out a Pre-Application Questionnaire online at newvocations.org/adopt.  Your questionnaire will be evaluated by our team. If it appears a retired racehorse is right for you, you will be invited to fill out an application to become an approved adopter! A $25 application fee applies.

The application gives us insight into your horse experience, what you're looking for in a horse and what your riding goals are. This helps our trainers make the best horse and rider match possible and gives our horses (any you!) the best shot at a successful future.

It takes an average of two weeks for applications to be processed, assuming you submit it fully completed and depending on how long it takes us to reach your vet and personal references. Letting your vet and references know about our program and that we'll be contacting them helps keep the process moving. Once your application has been fully processed, you'll receive an e-mail letting you know if you've been approved. Be sure to check your spam folder. To check on your application status, submit a general inquiry at newvocations.org/contact.

Approved applications are valid for two full years, so you’ll have plenty of time to find the right horse.

Please note that, due to the large quantity of inquiries on our horses, trainers give priority to those who already have an approved application on file when communicating about adoptable horses. 

 

Can horses be adopted out-of-state?

Yes, New Vocations adopts horses to residents of the 48 contiguous U.S. states. However, at this time, we do not adopt horses to other countries, including Canada.

 

How much does it cost to adopt? 

New Vocations intentionally sets our horses’ adoption fees lower than the average cost of buying a Thoroughbred or Standardbred from a private seller (in today’s market, horses coming right off the track are often listed at $5,000 to $10,000!).

Our fees range from $0 (waived) to $3,500.

• Fees typically correspond with a horse’s Anticipated Physical Capability. So, horses that are found to be best suited for non-riding careers (our Pasture Potatoes) have waived fees, while the fees for horses assessed to be suitable for high-impact careers will be up to $3,500.

While our adoption fees are low, it’s important to remember that costs associated with ongoing care and additional training for a horse can be high. We hope that by helping adopters save money upfront, you’ll have more funds available to cover the costs of properly caring for and training a retired racehorse.

When you adopt a horse through New Vocations, you’re helping two horses; your new family member and the one who takes their place in our program. Our facilities are nearly always at max capacity, which means we can’t take in a new horse until one is adopted. Keeping our adoption fees low helps us find appropriate homes for horses quickly, enabling us to help even more horses transition off the track as stalls open up in our barns!

Another perk of adopting from us: we do all we can to give you the most value for your adoption fee. Most adoptable horses have been in the program for a minimum of 60 days, during which they've rehabilitated (if needed), socialized with other horses, been evaluated by trainers and veterinarians, and have been in regular training with a professional. On average, the monetary value of these services exceeds $5,000. Any medical records (often including X-rays and ultrasounds) and pertinent history we have on each horse are also available to interested and approved adopters.

 

Can I put a horse on hold until I’m approved or ready to adopt?

Unfortunately, no. Our horses tend to go quickly, and we work on a first-come, first-served basis to find the best match for each horse among approved applicants. We strive to give everyone enough time to make an informed decision, but we can't risk a horse missing out on a wonderful home. But don't worry: We’re always working to welcome our next ex-racehorse into the program and he or she might be your perfect match!

 

Can I have a horse vet checked?

Yes. Retiring racehorses come to New Vocations with a variety of injuries, most of which heal sufficiently for general use with time away from the track. But, of course, horses can't come with guarantees. Adoptable horses were under veterinary care at the track, they’ve been professionally evaluated by New Vocations’ trainers and staff and many have been evaluated by New Vocations’ veterinarians and farriers, as well. Many also have x-rays or ultrasounds on file, which approved and interested adopters are welcome to review.

We welcome prepurchase exams at the potential adopter’s expense as long as they’re done in a timely manner. We cannot hold horses for more than a couple days for a prepurchase exams if another approved adopter shows interest in the same horse and opts to not do a prepurchase exam or chooses to do it once the horse is moved to their facility. 

 

Can I ride an adoptable horse before I bring him home?

No. We have green ex-racehorses, which means there’s risk involved and, therefore, an extremely high cost of insurance liability coverage. We have riders on staff who are happy to ride the horse during your in-person or virtual appointment so you can see their movement and attitude when under saddle. You're welcome to request they do whatever you would like to see within reason.  

Rather, to allow you to let your horse settle and start work in his or her new home, we have a 60-day trial period with a full adoption fee credit policy in place.

 

Can I find a child-safe horse at New Vocations?

At this stage in their lives—fresh off the track or just wrapping up rehab—we do not recommend these horses for children or beginner riders/equestrians. They generally have little or no pleasure riding experience and have only ever been handled by professionals. Even after a period of transitional training most will not be safe for children or inexperienced riders. Since Standardbreds tend to be quieter and more tolerant than Thoroughbreds, some may become suitable for a novice after several months of consistent training. However, this is largely horse-specific and potential adopters should discuss whether a horse is likely to become novice-friendly with the New Vocations trainer they’re working with.

 

Can first-time horse owners adopt?

By and large, we don't adopt ex-racehorses to first-time horse owners. The exception would be an individual with extensive experience who'd be riding under the supervision of a professional and/or has leased horses in the past. If you have questions, submit a general inquiry at newvocations.org/contact and we’ll be happy to chat!

 

Can mares be bred?

Standardbred mares may not be bred under any circumstance to adhere to Standardbred Transition Alliance rules. 

Many Thoroughbred mares* adopted through New Vocations can be bred. These high-quality individuals that should enhance most breeds when bred responsibly. Mares cannot be sold through any type of auction (including high-quality auctions, such as Keeneland or Fasig Tipton); mares may only be transferred via private sale once the terms of the one-year adoption contract have been completed.

^{*Please note: Some Thoroughbred donors request that their mares not be bred after racing, and we honor those wishes and adopt those mares to non-breeding homes. Additionally, we do not receive The Jockey Club registration papers for every individual in our program, which could impact some foal registrations. If you’re potentially interested breeding a mare in the future, please let the trainer you’re working with know so we can ensure you adopt the right horse that will come with papers, if needed.}

 

What does the adoption contract include?  

The contract states that a New Vocations adoption is a one-year commitment, where essentially the adopter and New Vocations hold equal ownership interest in the horse. You may not sell nor transfer possession of the horse during the first year. 

New Vocations requires Thoroughbred adopters to submit updates—including photos—on the horse at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after adoption; Standardbred adopters must submit updates—including photos—on the horse at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months after adoption. Updates should be completed online at newvocations.org/horse_update.

After New Vocations receives and is satisfied with the 12-month, the organization turns over full legal ownership of the horse to the adopter. The adopted horse may be sold or rehomed at this point, however the adopter and new owner MUST complete New Vocations’ Third-Party Bill of Sale MUST and the adopter must send a copy to New Vocations.  New Vocations also does have Right of First Refusal. 

Adopted horses must NEVER:

• Be sold at public auction.
  
  
• Be sold or transferred to the Amish.
  
  
• Be placed in race training or entered in a race.

 

How much does transportation cost? 

It's the adopter's responsibility to arrange and fund transport once they've signed the adoption contract, but we do have a list of trusted shippers we work with regularly at newvocations.org/transportation.

 

Will my horse come with registration papers?

Most horses come with registration papers. However, there are some donors that will not relinquish papers and some Standardbred and Thoroughbred registration papers are now held electronically, so there might not be physical papers for New Vocations to obtain. If having registration papers is important to you, please check with the main adoption office in Lexington, KY, before you adopt to see if New Vocations has or will be able to obtain a horse’s registration papers.

  

Can I communicate with my horse’s previous owner and trainer?

New Vocations acts as the agent between the adopter and the former owner and trainer. Former owners are always given the name and address of adopters should they wish to personally communicate. Adopters can request a former connection’s contact information once a horse is settled into his or her new home and successfully making the transition, but we might not be able to provide this information in all cases.

 

What if I can’t handle my new horse?

We place significant emphasis on adopters having the experience and confidence necessary to train their horse for a new vocation. Retiring racehorses are considered “green broke” and we can't overstress this enough. Still, we have a 60-day suitability clause as part of the adoption contract. Should the horse fail to have the disposition or soundness for the purpose it was adopted, it can be returned to New Vocations in exchange for a credit equal to the adoption fee provided that the horse returns in the same or better condition as to when it left our program.

 

What if I want to return my horse?

First, please contact the trainer you worked with to adopt the horse to see if the issues you’re having can be remedied with some management or training adjustments. If not, contact updates@horseadoption.com to discuss returns.

 

Do I have to keep my adopted horse at home?

Adopted horses can be boarded at commercial facilities or farms belonging to adopters’ family or friends. This must be disclosed on the application and the facility manager must fill out a boarding agreement that gives New Vocations the right to repossess the horse should the board bill become delinquent.

 

Do injured horses require extra veterinary care?

In most cases a track veterinarian has already evaluated the horse—and oftentimes another veterinarian examines the horse once he or she arrives at a New Vocations facility—and he or she has received any necessary rehabilitation. Seldom do these horses require vet care other than routine maintenance, dental, immunizations and deworming. Trainers are happy to discuss a horse’s veterinary history, provide all veterinary records we have on a horse and answer any questions that an interested, approved adopter has.

 

Is there a potential risk of bringing sickness into my barn when I bring an adopted horse home?

Racehorses coming from tracks and breeding farms have been extremely well vaccinated and dewormed all their lives. The horses may be recovering from injuries and thin from the rigors of racing, but we will not adopt a sick horse.

 

What happens to chronically lame horses?

New Vocations focuses its efforts on transitioning retired racehorses to new careers. If our veterinarians determine a horse is not sound enough to maintain a good quality of life, he or she may be humanely euthanized. New Vocations neither expects (or wants) a horse to live in chronic pain nor that adopters should be responsible for maintaining a chronic and debilitating condition. 

 

What types of bits are recommended for transitional training?

Both Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds have been raced in a snaffle bit, and we recommend adopters use snaffles during the transitional training phase. 

 

Can I ride my adopted horse in a Western saddle?

A Western saddle is fine, but make sure it fits properly and the tree is not putting pressure on the horse’s withers. Neither Thoroughbreds nor Standardbreds are accustomed to carrying much weight, so give your adopted horse time to get used to this new equipment. Additionally, be sure there is sufficient padding under any saddle used.

 

How much feed will my retired racehorse need?

Thoroughbreds generally need more calories to maintain their weight than Standardbreds or other breeds of equivalent size. New Vocations begins with 10-12 pounds of 12% high-fat concentrate each day for the average Thoroughbred and then adjusts upward for bigger horses and those that need to gain weight (or downward if we have the rare super-easy-keeper on our hands!). High-quality grain should be accompanied by ample high-quality hay and/or pasture. Standardbreds typically receive 8-10 pounds of high-quality grain a day, along with ample high-quality hay and/or pasture.

 

What do the different "Levels" mean on each horse's bio?

At New Vocations our trainers do their very best to ensure they're matching horses with the most suitable adopters possible! To help streamline the process and be as transparent about our horses, we've created and implemented a horse level system. This is not an industry-wide standard, simply a way for us to describe New Vocations horses' personalities, quirks, prospects and other information potential adopters should know. View our handy "Horse Levels" chart here: newvocations.org/horse_levels.

 

What can I do to help New Vocations?

Monetary donations are the biggest help, and New Vocations couldn’t do what we do without them. Donations can be made at newvocations.org/donate. 

Additionally, consider the organizations you belong to and determine if they would be willing to send financial support or designate New Vocations as the beneficiary of a charitable event. New Vocations adopts more retired racehorses than any other comparable organization in the country. We do everything in our power not to turn horses away, but we need broad financial support and many fundraising efforts to achieve this goal. We welcome people that would be willing to identify, inquire, and apply for grants from foundations and organizations that care about the horses. We will eagerly supply the needed stationary, brochures, newsletters, and documentation.

And, we couldn’t do it without our wonderful volunteers!  New Vocations holds or has booths at several events each year—such as the All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show; Equine Affaire in Columbus, OH; or the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event—that are only successful thanks to a great team of volunteers. Fill out our volunteer application to find out how you can help!

 

How do I donate a horse?

New Vocations accepts Thoroughbred and Standardbred mares and geldings 2 years or older. All horses must have recently been racing or in race training. Horses can be recovering from injuries sustained during racing or training, but they should have a good prognosis for soundness in a second riding career. For more detailed information and horse donation forms, visit newvocations.org/donate_a_horse.