“Speaker” doesn't have to say a thing ... it's obvious that he's an impressive guy who's all class! He retired from racing sound with no known injuries and could be a unicorn in any discipline his adopter chooses!

The more we work with him the more we love and drool over him! He's very respectful on the ground and just wants to please under saddle. He is walking and trotting confidently under saddle, and he has incredible movement and carries himself in a balanced manner.  

Speaker likes a routine in the barn ... he just likes to know in which order he goes out so he won't be late for the occasion! If things change, he might express his discontent by banging on his door, but he does his best to wait patiently for his turn! Speaker turns out with other geldings, one more dominant and one that likes to hide behind him.  He gets along well with others and knows not to push too much. And while he loves his turnout, he's happy to be brought in from his paddock to work whenever asked, solo or with his buddies.

We can see Speaker excelling in a multitude of areas, from Dressage to hunter paces including Dressage and Hunter Pacing. He might make someone a lovely equitation horse, as well! Whatever career his adopter chooses, we know he'll rise to the occasion and be an absolute star!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - 2 - Most days, Speaker is easy to lead to and from turnout; if turnout has been limited, he can be a bit pushy, but settles once he's back in his routine.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - 2 - He stands quietly for grooming and tacking.
• Horse Care - Level 1 - Speaker is happily barefoot! 
• Riding - Level 2 - 3 - He's an easy ride who appreciates support from his rider. 
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - 2 - Speaker appreciates a routine, but he's been an easy horse to work around.
• Physical Capability - Level 5 - We have no indications that the sky isn't the limit for this classy guy! 

 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.