2022 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

You won't want to keep your guard up around “Gru”! This sweet guy will be quick to work his way into your heart just like he won our hearts!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - An easy-going, laid-back guy, Gru walks nicely on a simple cotton lead rope. He's still learning to be patient for the farrier and, at the moment, can be a bit pushy. Walks nicely in a cotton lead. 
  
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - This dirt ball loves to roll in the mud! Fortunately, he also loves warm bubble baths and playing with the water with his lips. He's happy to be brushed with soft brushes and stands well in the stall for grooming and tacking. He occasionally unties quick-release knots ... he's just being helpful!
  
  
• Horse Care - Level 3 - He currently wears front steel shoes. He retired from racing with an old knee injury that was evaluated by a surgeon. He's had plenty of R&R to let it heal, and now he's ready to start his second career! As always, his veterinary records are available upon request for interested and approved adopters to review. While he’s not on any joint supplements at this time, he'll likely benefit from some for general maintenance in the future. 
  
  
• Riding - Level 2 - Gru is the same horse whether he rides a few days a week or sits for a while between rides. He's a star on the trails and hacking down the road. He's brave and always excited to explore! He take confidence from experienced buddies in new situations, but he generally prefers to lead during rides. He has an exceptionally dreamy canter!
  
  
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - 3 - Overall, Gru is quiet guy and not spooky. As you can see in his video, if he's unsure about a situation, he pauses, assesses and then proceeds. He’s turned out with a group of geldings and is lower in the pecking order, but he still loves to play with his buddies!
  
  
• Physical Capability - Level 1 - Gru is a laid-back guy who'd appreciate a low-key lifestyle; we think he'll be a perfect trail partner for an intermediate rider! 

Keepyourguardup came to New Vocations via the Beyond the Wire Program. We're so grateful for their continued support!

Approved Adopters: Schedule a phone appointment with trainer Cheryl at appointfix.com/New-Vocations-Racehorse-Adoption-Program.

 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.