Tall, dark and handsome “Joe” has solid build and a nose that’s just begging to be kissed!

Joe is easy to lead, has a kind and loving personality and can't get enough warm bubble baths. He tolerates grooming, but watch your backside because he’s been known to nibble! He’s not aggressive, just likes to play. Still, Joe stands well for the farrier and is currently wearing front steel shoes. 

We currently have Joe in private turn-out, but he's ready to transition to turn-out with a buddy. 

Joe is just transitioning into training with us, but we can already see him wowing the judge in the hunter ring. He's a perfect balance between go and whoa, and he still has racehorse work ethics and likes to keep his feet moving. With three well-balanced gaits, Joe has a good foundation and is walking, trotting and cantering well in the arena and we've started taking him over poles. He's proven to be a willing learner and happy to try new things. He's soft in the bridle and likes a light, steady feel.  He’s suitable for an intermediate rider with a trainer and experience bringing along a young horse. 

In April 2020, Joe had condylar repair surgery in both front legs before returning to racing. He ran his last race in September and was fully evaluated by a veterinarian last month. He has a favorable prognosis for most riding disciplines, and we feel he would be an excellent low-hunter partner. All the veterinary records we have on Joe are available to interested and approved adopters. 

Joe does crib, but we've found it's controlled with a Dare collar. 

Joe's Smokin Gun came to New Vocations via the NYTHA Take the Lead Program. We're so grateful for their continued support!

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 $2,500:  

• $2,500: This range is for horses that we consider to be the cream of the crop or “unicorn” horses. They are horses that have few or no limitations and 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 necessarily 3’). They may have been fully rehabbed from an injury but have been cleared by our veterinarians 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.