2022 and 2023 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

“Pharelli” is definitely a phenomenon! This royally-bred stunner with a totally boop-able nose is already turning out to be quite the hunk! His sweet face is hard to miss in the barn and he bonds easily with people (and dogs and other horses ... pretty much anyone and anything!). His build and bloodlines lead us to believe that he’s going to stand 16.2+h with a big , solid build when he is done physically maturing. Mentally, he is a curious and endearing goofball, always wanting to see what you’re doing, following people around and loving being around people. Deep inside we can also see an “old-soul” type personality in him, which we suspect will just continue to develop over time.

After being gelded in September, Pharelli has been working through some social transitions, particularly going outside with other horses. He currently turns out with our resident babysitter, Ranger, and he's been very happy to have a friend! Pharelli can be vocal at times, calling around and trying to see where other horses are hanging out and what they’re up to, but this is not uncommon for recently gelded horses and we think it’s likely a phase. He’s not herd-bound in the sense that he acts anxious or tries to get back to his friends, he just whinnies when he’s out and about sometimes!

Pharelli has osselets—calcifications around his front fetlock joints that are essentially the body’s way of stabilizing the joints (building a “cast,” of sorts, around them) to protect them from damage. Osselets can look scary, but they tend to be a predominantly cosmetic blemish once they’re set and the body doesn’t feel as much of a need to protect the joint! Pharelli’s ankle flexions are limited because of the osselets (so he'll do best in a low-impact, lower-level career), but he’s been sound and very fun to work with under saddle! He needs to continue building balanced muscle to support symmetrical self-carriage (he tends to lean into your right side and hand), but he is a quick and willing learner with a brave and level-headed temperament under saddle.

His ideal partner would be at least an advanced intermediate rider who has low-level ambitions and who enjoys a horse who likes to be your buddy! But, because he's young and recently gelded, his ideal adopter is also confident in setting boundaries and has the accommodations to help him continue in his social transition!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2
• Horse Care - Level 2 - 3 - He wears basic front shoes, but he'll need continued quality farrier work to help him build sole depth.
• Riding - Level 2 - 3 - This is likely to improve with more time in training.
• General Demeanor - Level 2 
• Horse Physical Capability - Level 2 - 3 

 click for horse level information 

ABOUT OUR ADOPTION FEES

New Vocations intentionally sets our horses’ 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 $5,000 to $10,000!).

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, thereby enabling us to assist even more horses transition off the track as stalls open up in our barns! In that way, when you adopt a horse through New Vocations, you’re actually helping two horses: your new family member and the one who takes his place in our program!

While our adoption fees are low, it’s important to remember that costs associated with the ongoing care and additional training for a horse (adopted or otherwise!) can be high. We 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.

In general, our fees are set at $3,500, $2,500, $1,000, and Under $1,000:

• $3,500: This range is for horses considered unlimited in their physical ability or those with exceptional qualities that would make them an upper- or high-level equine athlete.
  
  
• $2,500: This range is for horses we consider physically capable of a mid- to high-level second career. They have few or relatively minor limitations.
  
  
• $1,000: This range is for horses best-suited for a low- to mid-level career. They may have sustained an injury but have been fully treated and rehabbed. These horses have been examined by and cleared by our veterinarians for most disciplines, possibly up to a certain level (for example, suitable for a career jumping 2’0” but not suitable for a 3’6” career).
  
  
• Under $1,000: This range is for horses that could be harder to place in a perfect situation or those with more limited athletic potential (for example, possibly suitable for flat-work only) but are still capable of a successful second career. They have been evaluated by our veterinarians and are otherwise healthy.

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're rehabilitated (if needed), socialized with other horses, evaluated by trainers and veterinarians, and in regular training with a professional; on average, the monetary value of these services exceeds $5,000. Any medical records (often including X-ray and ultrasounds) and pertinent history we have on each horse is also available to interested and approved adopters.