They say the best way to start your day is with a cup of coffee, but we think it’s getting a greeting from this handsome face, Coffee Time! “Coffee,” as he is called around the barn, is one of those horses that we don’t come by often with his gorgeous color and dappling. This 3-year-old son of Cairo Prince is bursting with personality and potential.

Coffee shows his young age but in the best way possible. Never showing any naughty behavior, this guy just wants to learn and be curious about what’s around him! He loves to sleep in his stall, but he's always happy to greet anyone who approaches. Coffee is very docile and sweet on the ground. He's turned out during the day time with one other gelding. He is currently barefoot and has a sturdy, healthy hoof wall. He’s learning how to be patient in the crossties, as all youngsters are! He already has a great build to him and we’re even more excited to see him grow and fill out as he gets older. 

Coffee Time sustained a chip in his left knee during his training on the track and unfortunately had some issues with joint effusion and remodeling post surgery. While that might sound daunting, we think Coffee can still go on to have a great low-level career (flat only)! Just look at his floaty gaits in his free lunge video, he lights up the ring! He has taken to light work like an absolute champ, being tack-walked while horses were cantering by him and he was a very brave boy. Coffee will continue to need time to heal with a very light workload, so he would do best in a home who is patient and understanding of his timeline. 

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 ($2,500 total).

• $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.