Take 50% off adoption fees with our Home for the Holidays Adoption Special when you bring a horse home by Dec. 31!

2024 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 - Twix is an adventurous boy who occasionally needs a reminder to mind his manners, but is never purposefully naughty or rude. At only two years old we expect “teaching moments” to be a daily occurrence!
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2  - A bit of wiggling or pawing is typical - but with growth, training, and maturity these behaviors will become less frequent. 
• Horse Care - Level 2  - Twix wears front shoes and requires no special feeding or supplements! We have noticed that he appreciates an extra layer to keep him cozy when the temperature drops (his coat is still pretty thin), but he is otherwise a very easy keeper and a lovely addition to the barn.
• Riding - Level 1 - 2 - After working through a few first-day-of-school jitters, Twix has settled into a soft, steady, and impressively brave mount! He falls into the “kick-ride” category and is well-loved by our riders for his happy-go-lucky attitude. As with any young horse, prospective adopters should consider Twix’s age when comparing his needs with their goals. We recommend waiting until he is at least 3 years old (2024 in his case) before beginning any consistent riding and keeping all exercise at an appropriate level to support his growing body.
• General Demeanor - Level 2  - Twix is the class clown of his pasture, always challenging his buddies to a game of halter-tag or a race around the fence line. He is still learning his way in the herd but knows exactly where he stands with humans and is always eager to greet a new friend. 
• Physical Capability* - Level 5  - Twix was a slow-poke on the track (not surprising, given his under-saddle work thus far) and isn’t expected to have any limitations in his second 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.

*Assessments are based on information provided by the donors, physical/ mental assessments done by our professional team, as well as any veterinary examinations done at the farm (as needed). Approved, prospective adopters are welcome to arrange and coordinate a PPE if they choose, after speaking with the trainer at the respective facility of the horse. Adopters may also elect to use the 60-day trial period to thoroughly vet and assess the fit of the horse at their barn to ensure a great match!

 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.