2020 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

Hunca Rock, also known around the barn as “Bubba,” is a handsome guy with a sporty build and a playful personality. Bubba is a pleasure to work with in the stall. He is always curious and in your pockets. He loves attention and treats.

Bubba likes to be groomed and enjoys a warm bubble bath. He is currently wearing front steel shoes and stands well for the farrier.

Bubba is easy to handle on the ground. He has become attached to his friend that’s been stalled and turned out next to him, so when she leaves he calls for her. He’s just concerned about his girlfriend! Since he’s still on rehab, he’s turned out in a private turn-out.

PLEASE NOTE: Hunca Rock would normally be listed in our ‘$1,000 plus $1,500 donation’ adoption fee bracket, but as a special opportunity to qualified adopters, he is available for adoption ahead of schedule, for a discounted adoption fee. Bubba came to us with an old right front bow that became sore after his race on 1/1/2020. He has just begun turn-out in a small paddock under vet orders. Bubba had an ultrasound on 3/19/2020. The images showed great healing and the vet recommended a continued 60-90 days of small paddock turn-out followed by walking under saddle beginning with 5 minutes, then increasing 5 minutes daily.  We feel he has a very good prognosis and will be suited for multiple disciplines. Who’s got experience with tendon rehab that wants a fancy hunter/jumper, dressage, or event horse?

Ideal adopters will have experience with rehab and a good working relationship with a vet, so that rechecks can be performed as necessary. Interested approved adopters will have access to any veterinary records we have, including ultrasound images and our rehab schedule.

Bubba came to New Vocations through Beyond the Wire. We're grateful for their continued support!

COVID-19 Adoption Fee Update

You might notice some of our horses' adoption fees have been reduced in recent days.  This is solely due to the current COVID-19 situation and not because we've discovered new physical issues or behavioral issues.  We always aim to keep our adoption fees low so adopters can invest more in the future training and care for each horse. The adoption option is truly the most economical option!

In addition, please keep in mind the more horses we rehome, the more retiring racehorses we can welcome to our program. And, with the current uncertainty at many racetracks and training centers, we're hoping to eliminate barriers to help find perfect homes for our current residents so we can continue serving those in need of transitional training. Adopters must still be approved to bring a horse home.

Please feel free to contact any horse's trainer for additional information on his or her adoption fee.

ADOPTION FEE POLICY

New Vocations’ adoption fees are intentionally set lower than the cost of buying most Thoroughbreds or Standardbreds through a private seller. In today’s market, it’s not unusual for horses coming right off the track to be listed for sale at a price between $2,000 and $5,000. At New Vocations, we set a fee that will ultimately help each horse find a home quickly. The program’s facilities are always at full capacity, which means we cannot take in an additional horse until one is adopted. Adopters should be encouraged to know that by adopting a horse through New Vocations, they are actually helping two horses transition to careers outside of racing.

In general, our fees are set at $500, $1,000 or $1,000 with a $1,500 donation. 

• $1,000 with a $1,500 donation: This range is for horses that we consider to be the cream of the crop or the unicorn horses.  They are horses that have few or no limitations, have great conformation, movement and size.
• $1,000: This range is for horses that are suitable for a competitive career up to a certain level (for example cleared for 2’6” but not 3’).  They may have been fully rehabbed from a race injury but have been cleared for most disciplines.
• $500:  This range is for horses that are limited to a flat, trail or companion type home.  These horses are healthy and have been fully rehabbed and evaluated by a vet.

Additionally, adopters get great value for their money: The majority of the horses have been in the program for a minimum of 60 days. During that time, horses are rehabilitated (if needed), socialized with other horses, fully evaluated, and in work with a professional trainer. New Vocations fully discloses each horse’s history and provides all available medical records, many of which include X-ray and ultrasounds.

While adoption fees are low, it should be noted that costs associated with ongoing care and additional training for each horse after adoption can be high. New Vocations hopes that by helping an adopter save money upfront, he or she will have more funds available to cover the continuing costs of properly caring for a horse.