2024 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Adoption Special!
Take $500 off your 2024 RRP Makeover prospect's adoption fee Oct. 9 - 22!

2024 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 - Mako walks around the farm in a plain halter and lead rope. He will occasionally have a baby moment and react to a horse running up the fence or a rogue dog, but with a kind reminder that he’s attached to a human, he will refocus on his handler.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - Mako has been a very good boy as he learns to stand on the crossties. Once he understood their boundaries he was very respectful of how far he could move forward or backward. He has been standing more and more patient as he gets groomed and ready to ride. Reins and lead ropes tend to find a way into his mouth, but it is in a kind inquisitive way. He’ll just help out and hang onto those things for you!
• Horse Care - Level 2 - Mako loves to play with his paddock pal and does so in an appropriate, friendly way. He was recently gelded, so we would not advise a mixed herd situation. He is currently kept inside during the heat of the day. Mako is happy in a stall or turned out and is currently sporting front shoes. 
• Riding - Level 3 - What a fun youngster! Mako is still green but has all the pieces of a very nice upper-level prospect. He is a good mover, balanced and athletic, and tries hard for his rider. He is a quick study and even though he is just getting restarted, he is already understanding all the flatwork basics. His transitions are becoming sharper and he responds to a half halt. Mako can occasionally be a little playful, so a more experienced rider that won’t be bothered by his baby moments and will continue to work him through to his potential will be the best fit.
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - Mako is such a neat young horse, is very inquisitive and kind, and learning all about his new life as a future sport horse. As he has settled in with us he has adorably become the chattiest in the barn! Whenever he sees someone walk into his vicinity he will come right over and start telling you all about his day. While Mako is on the shorter side, he is only 3 years old, so is growing!
• Physical Capability - Level 5 - Mako retired with no limiting history and only appears to have cold, set curbs, and an old splint. If you’re looking for a special future jumper or event prospect, this is your guy.

 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.