New Vocations Matrons of Honor Program

Newberry Winner is a mare looking for her third career as a pleasure companion.  Her racing career has been nothing short of impressive, with 208 starts, followed by mothering five foals. Retired from both of those careers, "Berry" is ready for a quieter life—one that allows her to enjoy the simpler things while having a "purpose". 

Berry is a pleaser at heart. She thrives when given a job and loves being part of a team. Whether it's trail rides, light work, or spending time being groomed, Berry enjoys engaging with her humans calmly and patiently. She is especially good with kids—her gentle nature makes her a perfect companion for families or individuals looking for a horse with a great temperament.

That said, Berry can be a bit pushy when it comes to field turnout time, showcasing her playful and confident side. She does like to relive her youthful days at times, but those are normally when she is free to make those decisions in turnout. She handles new experiences well, as long as they are introduced with a kind, confident, and reassuring handler. Her trainer and kids have even been playing with desensitization using toys both on the ground and under saddle, and while she occasionally needs a little reassurance, she handles everything with trust and good assessment. 

Berry would make a wonderful trail horse, enjoying the peace of a slow ride through the woods or open fields. She is also well-suited for light riding and grooming sessions, where she can continue to develop a strong bond with her new partner.

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - 2 - Berry occasionally benefits from the reminder of a chain or rope halter when she gets excited about turnout.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - 
• Horse Care - Level 1 - 
• Riding - Level 1 - 
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - Berry enjoys having a job and receiving attention. In turnout, she is middle of the pecking order. She happily finds her little spot of the pasture to graze peacefully.
• Physical Capability - Level 1 - Berry is happy to walk and trot under saddle. She is suitable for a flat and easy career, enjoying her human partnerships.

 click for horse level information 

Interested in this horse? Approved adopters can reach out to this horse's trainer via the "Email Us About This Horse" button above for further information. Not yet approved? Learn about the process and start your questionnaire at newvocations.org/adopt! Approved applications are valid for two 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 capabilities. So, horses that are 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. New Vocations 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.