Hello, tall, dark and handsome! Big horse lovers, look no further than Ardeen!

Ardeen is everything we have come to love about Art Major horses - big, beautiful, wonderful movement, and trainability! Known around the barn as Ardi, this big guy draws everyone's attention. We could see him excelling as a field hunter or in the dressage arena!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - Despite his large size, Ardi is a perfect gentleman to handle on the ground.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - We've only leveled Ardi as a "2" here because he can just be very tall when it's time for bridling.  He is not the biggest fan of having his ears and bridle path fussed with but otherwise stands quietly for grooming and tacking.
• Riding - Level 2 - Ardi is straightforward when it comes to work. He quickly figured out his new job and is happy to please.  He is very recently retired from racing and would appreciate a confident and quiet rider to help him through his transition to riding. He is every bit of 17 hh and has a step to match, so he could be intimidating to a nervous rider based on size alone.  Under saddle, he is learning to balance his big body around turns and will need someone to continue his education.  He prefers to trot under saddle, though he raced as a pacer, and frequently offers to canter on the lunge line. 
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - Ardi is an agreeable guy who gets along well with everyone in the barn.  He is turned out in a small group of geldings and is easy to bring in and out. He has no vices.
• Physical Capability - Level 4 - This lovely War Horse retired with no notable injuries and should have no restrictions on his 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.