2022 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

First Task is hard to ignore with his handsome, big-boned appearance and he's hard to forget with his teddy-bear personality!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 - First Task is quite easy going and enjoys getting attention however he can. He is a very cuddly type who would love to just hang out with you all day and be spoiled. Sources who knew him when he was just a baby say he’s always been like that!

• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - He loves being groomed and fawned on! He is generally quiet on the crossties, but he can paw and be impatient every now and again. Overall, he is very easy to handle for everything.

• Horse Care - Level 3 - First Task has steel shoes on all four feet. He had some sensitivity in his hind heels and needs to keep building hind-end strength, so the hind shoes help him to do that comfortably. He goes out in turnout at night with three other playful geldings and is a mid-lower ranked member of the herd, so his hind shoes have not presented a problem! He has a good appetite though and is a pretty easy keeper, but we keep him on a gut/GI supplement (Relyne) because he had a mild gas colic episode when he started back in work (coming back from vacation is hard!!). And, while he hasn't done so recently, he has occasionally cribbed in the past; we keep a cribbing collar on hand, but he hasn't worn it in his stall or outside recently!

• Riding - Level 2 - A very easy, straightforward type of ride, First Task is eager to please and doesn’t tend to argue under saddle. Sometimes he doesn’t quite understand what you’re asking, but he tries very hard, no matter what! Given his big build and round barrel, he is a very comfy couch-like ride. He is still getting into shape, so he needs an adopter who will be patient and not ask too much of him as he is building better fitness. We think he'll do fine with an intermediate-type rider!

• General Demeanor - Level 2 - First Task has a sweet, easy-going personality and is a pleasant member of the barn, both in his stall and out. He is not very excitable and doesn’t generally show much anxious behavior.

• Physical Capability - Level 3 - 4 - First Task had a few injuries pop up over the course of his racing career—stress fractures in his right hind tibia and pelvis and a left front fetlock chip which was removed two years ago—but they've all healed well and we haven't observed any complications or ill effects! Now, his primary task is getting fit again (post vacation, he's rocking a Dad Bod at the moment!), but once he's in shape we see him being an athletic type and sporty ride! We think he'd excel in any number of career paths, but given his build and personality we could certainly see him being a star in the hunter ring!

Video coming soon!

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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.