New Vocations' Pasture Potatoes Program

Eligible for Shipping Credit up to $1,000!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2- Ace leads well day to day around the farm in a plain halter and lead, but may occasionally need a correction if he decides he wants to play. He can be a little mouthy, which is certainly not unusual for one of our youngsters! 
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Ace stands well in the crossties and enjoys a good grooming session- particularly a good scratch and a bubble bath on a hot day!
• Horse Care - Level 1- Ace is currently shod in front shoes, but will be coming out of those now that he’s in our Pasture Potato program. He has good feet, gets along well with many personalities, and doesn’t require any specialized care.
• Riding - N/A- Ace is a pasture potato only.
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - We’ve placed Ace at a level two only because he occasionally will need a correction on the ground when he gets mouthy and requires some attention from his handler, as he is a fun-loving, playful personality. He is very social, loves playing with his four-legged friends, and we’ve had many occasions where, at liberty, he will kindly try to play with his human trainer as well. We’d love to see Ace go to an adopter who will embrace his big, happy personality! 
  
• Horse Physical Capability - Level Potato - Ace has some radiographic changes that would require significant maintenance as a riding horse, and he has not reliably stayed sound in a training program. The best option for a long, comfortable life for Ace would be as a companion. 
  

 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.