Curious and Playful Young Gelding Seeks Adventurous Partner!

You won't miss Tellitlikebud when you walk into the barn, because he certainly won't let you! "Bud" is an engaging and curious young gelding who was never quite fast enough to qualify on the track. He's now ready to embark on a new adventure! Bud loves to play with anything and everything in his reach and engages with any horse or human willing to play!

• Leading and Ground Manners- Level 2 - Did we mention Bud likes to play?  For this 1200 lb toddler, EVERYTHING goes in his mouth (halter, leadline, shirt sleeves, etc).  He's not mean about it and doesn't use his teeth, but he will need reminders from his handler when it is and isn't appropriate to play.  He is led in a regular halter and cotton lead rope and frequently comes in from the pasture in tandem with a friend.
• Grooming and Tacking- Level 1 - Bud stands quietly in the crossties for grooming and saddling.  He loves to get dirty, but will patiently stand to be curried. He takes the bit easily (though he may also take the reins and throatlatch if you aren't mindful) and is quiet to saddle. 
• Horse Care- Level 1 - Bud is barefoot, an easy keeper, and keeps a gloriously tidy stall! 
• Riding- Level 2 - 3 - Bud doesn't have a mean bone in his body, but he is still a green baby.  He can get distracted by things happening in the barn or outside and will need reminders to stay on task when working.  He does best with a confident rider who is used to "baby brains" and will keep him focused in his training sessions.  Bud took very easily to working under saddle, but can get bored, so keeping things new and interesting will keep him engaged. Under saddle, Bud is walking and trotting. He has a lovely canter on the lunge line. 
• General Demeanor- Level 2 - Bud's playfulness can border on "bossy" when he's out with his herd mates.  In turnout, he would love some geldings who enjoy playing tag and running around.  He may be a bit much for an older horse who just wants to graze. 
• Physical Capability- Level 5 - The sky is the limit for this lovely young gelding!  He is suitable for any 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.

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.