2025 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1  - Bernie leads easily with a regular halter and lead rope.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Bernie enjoys grooming, especially the soft curry/ massage portion. He stands freely in his stall for tacking and is also happy to tie. Bernie stands well in the crossties for his warm bubble baths.
• Horse Care - Level 1 -  Bernie is currently barefoot. He stands well for the farrier.
• Riding - Level 2 -  Bernie is best suited for an advanced rider or trainer looking to bring along a nice young prospect. He has 3 nicely balanced gaits and is willing and eager to learn new things. He has a soft mouth.
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - Bernie is a little shy at first. He is getting used to snuggling, and has enjoyed being spoiled with cookies! He is currently turned out with another gelding who also likes to play. Bernie is mid-dominance in turnout. He has no stable vices. Sudden movements might cause him to spook.
• Physical Capability - Level 2+ - Bernie has had turnout and R&R. He is ready to find his person to bring him along into his next career. We can see him going in any direction for a moderate-impact level of work (H/J, low-level Eventing). As always, veterinary records are available to approved adopters.

Burningupthedough came to New Vocations via the Beyond the Wire program. We are grateful for their support!

RRP THOROUGHBRED MAKEOVER SPECIAL: Adopt your 2025 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover prospect from New Vocations, compete in the Makeover, and you'll be reimbursed the $350 trainer application fee! This horse is also eligible to receive a $405+ scholarship for the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover through the 2025 ASPCA Right Horse Scholarship program. Learn more HERE.

 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.