Qualifies for the Bays for Days Adoption Special: $500 off all bay horses through the month of September!

Shezza GNP N who we call "Kiwi" is a flashy, fancy, and athletic mare that can go in many directions for her next career! She can head out on the trails with you to take in the scenery or dazzle audiences in the show ring! While she may not sport any chrome, her shine, movement, and presence is one that can be appreciated.

Kiwi has been adjusting well to life away from the track. She was obviously well-handled in her racing days and enjoys having a consistent job as the athlete she is. This beautiful mare is very quick to learn and enjoys walking and trotting over poles under saddle. She is learning to stretch and use her back to support her rider. She is sensitive to seat and leg and is light in the hand. Kiwi prefers a rider who is confident in what they want, and who is ok with her forward-moving gaits and mentality.

Kiwi has offered a lovely trot under saddle and has been in the beginning stages of canter during groundwork. She enjoys turnout with two other mares and while not interested in being the leader, is also not fond of overly affectionate pasture mates. She is often in sight of her friends but isn't interested in group pasture activities.

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - Kiwi has excellent ground manners and is all business when being handled.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - Kiwi is very good for grooming and handling in the crossties. She will entertain herself when bored in a non-destructive manner (like many Standardbreds, she loves to play with her tongue and make silly faces). She does have some sensitive spots during grooming sessions and can be mildly reactive when the brush is too hard in those areas. 
• Horse Care - Level 1+ - Kiwi is on regular maintenance grain, unlimited hay, and is barefoot. She is very sensitive to bugs outside, so we've spoiled her with a full-body fly sheet.
• Riding - Level 2.5 - If you are looking for a horse who enjoys work, this girl is for you! She can have some big opinions about changes in her expectations when riding and can get nervous when big, new concepts are introduced. Her zesty way of moving comes with her stronger personality, but she is sensitive to leg, seat, and has a soft mouth.
• General Demeanor - Level 3 - While Kiwi's trainer currently rates her as a level 3, she has never offered any dangerous behavior during her excitable moments. She loves a partner who is able to enjoy her athletic ability through consistent work and can help her contain herself through calm direction and confidence.
• Physical Capability - Level 5 - Kiwi has no known injuries or limitations for her new career. 

 click for horse level information 

Interested in this horse? Already approved adopters may reach out to this horse's trainer at the "Email About This Horse" button above for further information. Still need to become approved? Learn about the process and start your questionnaire at newvocations.org/adopt. Approved applications are valid for 2 years.

ABOUT OUR ADOPTION FEES

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

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, thereby enabling us to assist even more horses transition off the track as stalls open up in our barns! In that way, when you adopt a horse through New Vocations, you’re actually helping two horses: your new family member and the one who takes his place in our program!

While our adoption fees are low, it’s important to remember that costs associated with the ongoing care and additional training for a horse (adopted or otherwise!) 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.

In general, our fees range around $3,500, $2,500, $1,000, and Under $1,000:

• $3,500: This range is for horses considered unlimited in their physical ability or those with exceptional qualities that would make them an upper- or high-level equine athlete.
  
  
• $2,000 - $2,500: This range is for horses we consider physically capable of a mid- to high-level second career. They have few or relatively minor limitations.
  
  
• $1,000 - $1,500: This range is for horses best-suited for a low- to mid-level career. They may have sustained an injury but have been fully treated and rehabbed. These horses have been examined by and cleared by our veterinarians for most disciplines, possibly up to a certain level (for example, suitable for a career jumping 2’0” but not suitable for a 3’6” career).
  
  
• Under $1,000: This range is for horses that could be harder to place in a perfect situation or those with more limited athletic potential (for example, possibly suitable for flat-work only) but are still capable of a successful second career. They have been evaluated by our veterinarians and are otherwise healthy.

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're rehabilitated (if needed), socialized with other horses, evaluated by trainers and veterinarians, and in regular training with a professional; on average, the monetary value of these services exceeds $5,000. Any medical records (often including X-ray and ultrasounds) and pertinent history we have on each horse is also available to interested and approved adopters.