2024 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

We've updated our Horse Level system! Review our handy chart at the button below.

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 -  Rory quietly leads around the farm in a plain halter and lead rope. In new places or exciting situations, he may need a reminder to walk with his handler.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - Rory is just learning to stand on the crossties, so stays supervised during the grooming process. He is becoming more patient with each session and will soon be a cross-tying pro!
• Horse Care - Level 1 - Rory turns out well with others and tends to step up to be the boss in the field. He wears a set of front steel shoes.
• Riding - Level 2 - Rory is still green but steady under saddle and is slightly more of a kick ride. He marched around all the jumps without batting an eye and has a great natural rhythm to his gaits. He has been learning to stand at the mounting block and keeps improving with each ride! Rory is a bigger-bodied Thoroughbred who takes up your leg despite his current height, and we do expect him to grow as he is still very young.
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - When Rory first arrived, he was a little shy and could become worried about new things. As he settled in and got to know the people surrounding him, we saw a more confident, relaxed young horse appear! He has become more affectionate and instead of worrying about something new he looks to his handler for reassurance and tries very hard to please!
• Physical Capability - Level 3 - Rory has no limitations in his new career and is a blank slate to be developed by an experienced adopter! We can see him excelling in any discipline!

 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 Thoroughbred or Standardbred from a private seller (in today’s market, horses coming right off the track are often listed at $5,000 to $10,000!).

Our fees range from $0 (waived) to $3,500.

• Fees typically correspond with a horse’s Anticipated Physical Capability. So, horses that are found to be best suited for non-riding careers (our Pasture Potatoes) have waived fees, while the fees for horses assessed to be suitable for high-impact careers will be up to $3,500.

While our adoption fees are low, it’s important to remember that costs associated with ongoing care and additional training for a horse 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.

When you adopt a horse through New Vocations, you’re helping two horses; your new family member and the one who takes their place in our program. 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, enabling us to help even more horses transition off the track as stalls open up in our barns!

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