New Vocations' Pasture Potatoes Program

Eligible for Shipping Credit up to $1,000!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - "Dobby" enjoys being out with friends, so can be a little pushy when being led back to them. Some extra groundwork has been helpful to insist he walks with his handler. 
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Dobby stands quietly for grooming, tacking, and bathing. He is used to being on crossties. 
• Horse Care - Level 2 -Dobby has been enjoying 24/7 turnout in a small group of geldings. He requires specialty shoeing (front shoes and pads). 
• Riding - Level N/A - Dobby is available for adoption for a non-riding second career as a part of New Vocations' Pasture Potatoes program for companion Thoroughbreds.
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - Dobby is a lovely horse with a fun, inquisitive personality. He enjoys coming in to spend time with us and loves cookies and carrots!  
• Physical Capability - NA- Dobby is a candidate for kissing spine surgery to resume his second career undersaddle. Without it we feel Dobby may be more comfortable as a companion for his two legged and four legged friends.  

 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 PASTURE POTATOES

New Vocations’ Pasture Potatoes program provides those seeking companion horses peace of mind with the following benefits.

• Potential adopters will receive special approval and support as a home for companion horses through New Vocations’ application process.

• A shipping stipend of up to $1,000 for each horse to head to their new home.

• If the adopter can no longer care for their horse, an additional $1,000 shipping stipend will be provided to bring the horse back to New Vocations.

• Additional stipends may be available to the adopters if they need veterinary support as the horse transitions into their new home, or training guidance as they work with their horse in-hand.

• Adopters of Pasture Potatoes will be unable to sell their adopted horse and instead must sign a contract agreeing to return the horse to New Vocations if they cannot, or no longer wish to care for the horse.

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.