2022 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

“Sam” is a flashy guy who's sure to shine in just about any arena for his second career!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 - Sam generally follows quietly on a plain cotton lead. If there is some excitement going on (like another horse running up to the fence), he might need a reminder to pay attention; he just wants to join in on the fun!
  
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - A total gentleman on the crossties, Sam enjoys a good grooming and stands quietly for saddling. If you’re taking your time, he’ll likely have a short nap before going for a ride!
  
  
• Horse Care - Level 2 - 3 - Sam is a big, growing boy and has been a bit of a harder keeper. He gets an additional meal at lunch and enjoys all the hay he can eat! He wears front steel shoes.
  
  
• Riding - Level 2 - Sam is still green but has been very enjoyable to ride and is a trainer favorite! He is nicely forward thinking, balanced and very responsive to his rider’s aids. He is quiet, not spooky and marched around all the scary jumps in the big grass ring first day under saddle in our program.
  
  
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - 2 - Sam is such a pleasure to have in the barn! He is sweet, well behaved and we get nothing but good vibes from this big lovable boy. He tries very hard to please and find he is quite chatty, he’ll groan if he’s a little unsure of something and nickers to us in greeting everyday at lunch time to come in!
  
  
• Physical Capability - Level 3 - 4 - Sam has a history of a tie-back surgery and makes a mild respiratory noise at the canter and gallop. He might not be a candidate for the highest level of a high-intensity sport like eventing, but he has no other physical limitations that would limit his second career!

 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.