We are very proud to offer "Dahlia" for adoption! This seasoned, stunning mare is not one to miss! If you're looking for your next dressage or eventer partner, look no further.

Dahlia took a week or so to settle in when she came into our barn-- prior to that she was vocal and a little anxious in the stall, but once she got into the routine and started working under saddle, her attitude settled completely. She is very business-like in her demeanor in work, but she loves her time outside with buddies too (she is turned out with several other mares in a big field overnight). On the ground, she loves attention and is very sweet. She is attentive and not too pushy.

Dahlia had some experience in dressage with a former adopter, and is ready for someone to expand on what she's already learned! Those long legs of hers make it so she eats up the arena with her ground-covering strides, and she has power to her step that is jaw-dropping. Dahlia has been ridden on trails, and both alone and with other horses in the ring. Nothing seems to bother her. She’s a very brave girl! She has been started over crossrails as well, and tackles each jump with zeal!

She would do best in a program where she can be worked by (an) advanced rider(s) only-- she hasn't done anything bad with us, but she could intimidate a younger rider with her powerful step, and she takes a sophisticated hand, seat and mentality to tap her full potential.

*UPDATE* You might remember Dahlia from her being posted before-- we took her offline because she developed a slight low bow left front (SDFT) in a pasture play accident. We have rehabbed it slowly and conservatively, so as to set her up for her future as best as possible! We are not expecting this to limit her riding prognosis though! She is currently back on turnout and starting back in a rehab ride routine, so we have dropped her adoption fee, and are offerering her as available to select, qualified adopters who both meet her original criteria, and who would be able to slowly bring her back to full fitness.

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.