2022 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

With his regal bloodlines and stunning good looks, it's no surprise that accomplished racehorse Marzo is well on his way to shining in his second career!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 - 3 - Marzo is a very proud, confident horse, which gives him a magnetic, eye-catching quality. He typically doesn’t get anxious, but he can be easily offended (he's royalty, after all!), which can translate to head-in-the-air, oppositional behavior at times. He can also be mouthy from time to time, but he is usually trying to play or “test the waters” to see what he can get away with.

• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - Marzo doesn’t mind being groomed, but he does prefer softer brushes. He certainly doesn't mind a good scratch or massage!

• Horse Care - Level 2 - He wears basic front shoes and doesn’t require anything too complicated for care. 

• Riding - Level 3 - Under saddle Marzo has a nice way of going and shows massive potential. He is an athlete through-and-through, and he tends to want to “give” more than the “ask” because he’s a true showman. He will need an advanced rider who can appreciate all that he has to offer while quietly setting boundaries. 

• General Demeanor - Level 2 - 3 - Marzo is a good citizen around the barn, only showing some sass around meal times when he thinks he’s “hangry.” He sometimes likes to stick his head out of the stall to greet people and sometimes he prefers to take a quiet nap. In turnout Marzo is mid-high ranked and will be a more dominant type when confronted by another horse.

• Physical Capability - Level 3 - Marzo retired from racing after his connections detected a fracture in his right front let. Fortunately, they recognized and treated it early, which allowed it to heal beautifully! He has two screws remaining in his fetlock and some arthritic changes in the fetlock with osselets, but the joint space looks good and he's not one bit bothered by either! Given his lovely movement, build and personality, we definitely think he has what it takes to excel in dressage, but he could also go in many different directions in his new career! 

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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.