Riken is a sporty prospect who's full of potential!

• Leading and Grooming - Level 2 - Riken can get a little pushy at times but we haven't needed a chain to lead him. He prefers a halter that can be unbuckled/buckled at the headstall.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - He enjoys grooming, is good for baths, and stands tied in the stall for tacking. He prefers to have company around, and he he doesn’t particularly like his ears touched.
• Horse Care - Level 3 - Earlier in his career, Riken had knee surgery and successfully returned to racing. At the end of 2020, radiographs showed subcondylar bone disease in both front fetlocks. As always, his X-rays are available for interested and approved adopters to review. Our veterinarian feels he is able to pursue a second career with a moderate level of exercise. Additionally, Riken has aural plaque in both ears and should wear a fly mask with ears to block out UV rays. He currently wears front steel shoes and stands well for the farrier. 
• Riding - Level 2 - Flashy under tack, Riken has a soft mouth and three nice gaits. He is currently ridden in a single joint full-cheek snaffle. He’s suitable for an experienced intermediate level rider with a trainer.
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - Riken has a playful puppy personality! In turnout, he likes to play with his buddies and tends to be lower in the pecking order. 
• Horse Physical Capability - Level 2 - We think he would make a nice prospect for someone to do English/Western pleasure, trail, basic dressage, or hunters. 

Riken came to New Vocations via the NYTHA Take The Lead program. We're so grateful for their continued support!

Approved Adopters: Schedule an appointment with trainer Cheryl at appointfix.com/New-Vocations-Racehorse-Adoption-Program.

 click for horse level information 

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 $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.

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.