2022 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

“Jack” is a special one! He's a sporty dream who has big and beautiful movement, a fun personality and few limitations for his second career!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - He's been good to lead to and from turnout and from one barn to the other. No chain needed for this guy! He's brave and consistent on the ground.
  
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - Jack stands quietly to be groomed and tacked. He gets a bit fidgety when the barn is busy, but it's just because he wants to see everything that might be going on without him!
  
  
• Horse Care - Level 3 - Jack wears shoes on his front hooves. He does dunk his hay in his stall, but his mess is minimized if you put his hay near his water bucket. Additionally, Jack had a pause in his transitional training after jumping out of his turnout. We've found he does best with friends or while being watched, and he'll need an adopter who's able and willing to cater to his turnout needs. His trainer is happy to discuss this in more details with interested and approved adopters!
  
  
• Riding - Level 3 -  Everyone wants to ride Jack! He's a perfect balance of forward and quiet, and he naturally carries himself in the most lovely way.  He's a brave, consistent and straightforward ride. He's still a baby and can be strong at times, especially going into the canter, but he's improving with every ride. 
  
  
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - Since starting back to work, Jack has been easy to work around. He's fun to be around and has a goofy personality!
  
  
• Physical Capability - Level 4+ - Jack is an athletic guy who could go in any direction, but his build and incredible movement scream hunter or Dressage horse! He made just one start on the track before sustaining a suspensory injury, which we rehabbed slowly and carefully. He's healed very well and, as always, all the veterinary records we have on him are available for interested, approved adopters to review. We started him back into work slowly, and his adopter should be prepared to use the same slow and steady approach to help him reach his full potential. 

 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.

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.