“Comm” is our absolute favorite for so many reasons! This handsome guy stole our hearts from the moment he arrived, not least because he's a total beefcake and love bug! 

Much like a good leader, Comm takes quiet control of his turnout group but isn't an aggressive guy. And, unlike most Kentuckians, he loved being outside in the snow we saw last winter; one of his favorite things to do was to lick the icicles on the gates!

He leads well with another horse and is respectful of his handler’s boundaries when set. He has no stall vices and is not a picky eater (he even enjoys a morning donut or two with the barn staff on special occasions)! His laid back and people-driven attitude is obvious as he watches the goings-on in the barn and asks for attention from passers by.

Comm loves bareback rides and is always listening to what his rider asks. He can be strong at times, though, so he is currently not recommended for a novice rider. He was adopted previously and used in a lesson program, where he was ridden by advanced students. 

He returned to our program through no fault of his own, but it is worth noting that he has consistently needed some special attention to his feet/shoeing to keep him most comfortable. Comm seems to be best suited for a low-level career, but fortunately this laid-back guy doesn’t mind that at all!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1
• Horse Care - Level 3 - Comm has glue-on shoes
• Riding - Level 2 - 3 - Can be strong, and a little anxious on trails alone
• General Demeanor - Level 1 
• Horse Physical Capability - Level 2

 CLICK FOR HORSE LEVEL INFORMATION 

ABOUT OUR ADOPTION FEES

We intentionally set New Vocations’ adoption fees lower than the average cost of buying a Thoroughbreds or Standardbreds from a private seller (in today's market, horses coming right off the track are often listed at a price between $2,000 and $5,000!). Our facilities are always at full capacity, which means we can't take in an additional horse until one is adopted; a lower adoption fee means horses are more likely to find appropriate homes quickly and we can welcome more horses into our barns. And just think: By adopting one horse through New Vocations, you're actually helping two horses (you new family member and the one who takes his place in our program) transition to careers outside of racing. 

In general, our fees are set at $2,500, $1,000, $500 or waived:

• $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.
• Waived: This is for horses that have significant limitations for a riding career or are otherwise difficult to place. These horses are otherwise healthy and have been evaluated by a veterinarian.

Another perk of adopting from us? We do our best to give you the best bang for your buck. Most adoptable horses have been in the program for a minimum of 60 days,  during which they're rehabilitated (if needed), socialized with other horses, fully evaluated, and in work with a professional trainer. We're also happy to share the history and any medical records (often including X-ray and ultrasounds) we have on each horse with interested and approved adopters.

While our adoption fees are low, please remember that costs associated with ongoing care and additional training for a horse (adopted or otherwise!) can be high. We hope that by helping an adopter save money upfront, you'll have more funds available to cover the continuing costs of properly caring for and training a horse.