Spring Fling Adoption Special: Take $500 off adoption fees when you adopt a Physical Capability Level 1 or 2 horse by April 30!

New Vocations Graduate

According to Pure Quill's owner:

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - "Karnak" is a perfect gentleman. He will follow you without a halter and lead rope. He has had extensive training in natural horsemanship-type groundwork including some at liberty. Karnak walks around the property on a long lead with minimal fuss. He has also participated in multiple obstacle course clinics, on the ground and under saddle. Karnak is a gentle giant who will be in your pocket if you have treats.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Karnak loves being groomed and will fall asleep as you brush him if there isn't much going on. He is sensitive, so prefers soft brushes. Karnak picks up all four feet easily. He is used to being asked to stretch for treats and being manually stretched after rides. He has been trained to put his head down for the halter and bridle.
• Horse Care - Level 2 - 3 - Karnak has had recent x-rays that show changes in his front navicular bones, particularly his left, that will keep him from jumping. This unfortunately means he is looking for a new home where jumping would not be asked of him. He has responded well to joint injections, but the longevity of this relief is unknown. His feet are otherwise in great shape and his vet and farrier are happy with his sole depth and angles. He wears front shoes with pads. Karnak stands very well for the farrier, vet, and all other care. He has had massage and chiropractic work. Karnak is on a hoof and gut supplement to help with ulcers.
• Riding - Level 1 - Karnak is as lovely under saddle as he is on the ground. He has big, loose movement and has been trained to stretch down as his default. Karnak is much more whoa than go, though he is not a kick ride. He is sensitive to hip and leg aids and light on the bit. He has been trained with a 3-piece snaffle, but rides nicely bitless, with a halter, and even a neck rope. Karnak also goes well bareback. He stands patiently at the mounting block and has been trained to "park" next to it. He goes on trails by himself and with others, in front or behind.
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - Karnak is a barn favorite! He gets along with everyone including people, horses, cats, and dogs. Karnak is unflappable. He'll pick up a tarp and wave it around, put a hula hoop over his head, kick and push a big bouncy ball, you name it! Karnak has even had his sweaty coat dried by a hair dryer without blinking an eye (cold climate, unheated barn). He has been mounted on the "wrong" side, had riders hang off of him in odd ways, etc. (all in the name of training). Karnak loads nicely on different trailers, although his traveling hasn't been extensive.
• Physical Capability - Level 1 - Karnak's ideal new home would not ask too much of him. A low-impact pleasure career or leisurely trails would be best. His relaxed nature would be great in an equine-assisted learning program. He would likely do better in a warmer climate, as the frozen ground exacerbates his pain (currently in Minnesota). He is currently sound and pain-free with maintenance.

Contact: Molly
Phone: (906) 869-4641
Location: Big Lake, MN

You must be an approved adopter with New Vocations to bring home a New Vocations Graduate.

 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.