“Missile” is sure to hit the target when it comes to stealing your heart! This unraced gelding didn’t make it as a racehorse because of his conformation, but he’s a stunning, goofy horse who is looking for his new family and career!

Missile has been transitioned into a turnout routine well! He started in our roundpens and graduated to turnout in a small paddock with our resident babysitter during the day. He is playful, but also relaxes well and is happy to just hang out and graze.

To handle, Missile can sometimes be excitable or mouthy, both of which are generally to be expected of horses his age, but because of that, he will need to go to a home with experienced handlers who don’t mind guiding baby horses through their adolescent phases and the behaviors that go along with it!

Missile is noticeably over at the knee on his left front leg, but he showed soundness issues right front at the jog. Our vet traced this back to his ankle/ foot, which shows some sesamoiditis, but most notably, his irregular pastern/ hoof conformation/ angles creates strain and discomfort as they are now. He has started corrective shoeing to help with his breakover and overall soundness, but due to the uncertainty of his soundness for future athletic ability, we have recommended him for a very low level career only. X-rays are available for interested approved adopters.

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 3 - 4 
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2
• Horse Care - Level 3 - He will require specialty shoeing to correct his conformational angles. 
• Riding - TBD
• General Demeanor - Level 3 
• Physical Capability - Level 1

 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.