“Boss” is a lovely son of Well Said who paced on the track. He was lightly raced (just 44 starts!) and retired to New Vocations after sustaining a suspensory injury. We've overseen his rehab and he's healed beautifully!

This boy has the most alert and inquisitive expression. He seeks a bond with his partner, which will go a long way as he continues his transition from racehorse to riding horse. 

Boss is very smart ... he's learned how to open his stall and his friends' stall gates! He's a real jokester!  

We see Boss going on to be a great all-around trail horse. He also is suitable to drive. This lovely gelding has tons of potential and the balanced looks to match! 

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 - Boss is a good boy overall but can get pushy at times. He'll need a knowledgeable partner to lead him through times when he is unsure. He is good to load in the trailer and stands well for the farrier.
  
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - He is usually very good for grooming and tacking. He enjoys being in the crossties!
  
  
• Horse Care - Level 3 - Boss is well named and wants to be the leader in the field. He currently is turned out in a small group (we think he'd do best in small group or single turnout) and has done well going out during the day or at night. He is currently happily barefoot, although he might benefit from shoes with more work.  
  
  
• Riding - Level 3 - Boss is a super comfortable ride, paces and trots under saddle and stands well for mounting and dismounting. He has worked inside and outside, he enjoys working with other horses and he's walked over poles. He gets a bit nervous in new situations. We have placed many Well Said-bred horses and they make gorgeous riding horses!
  
  
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - 3 
  
  
• Physical Capability - Level 2 - 3 - Boss sustained a suspensory injury in 2020. He's had plenty of time for rehab and he's healed very well! We think he'd be a perfect trail partner or driving horse!

 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.