With a beautiful build and sweet disposition, “Zaza” or “Za” is hard to miss!

She is happy to greet people at her stall and genuinely enjoys connecting with people. She is happy to be doted on, whether being groomed or just being the center of attention. She stands extremely well in the crossties and for the vet and farrier. She's not a fan of the lip twitch or chain, but she does well without one, anyway!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - 2 - Za is easily led to and from turnout and around the barn. She doesn’t mind being led with another horse. In new situations it may be beneficial to have a lead shank, but she has never shown us any naughty or overly-excitable behavior.
  
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - 2 - Za is happy to be groomed and stands well, though occasionally she gets a bit impatient and paws. For a 3-year-old she is exceptionally well-mannered!
  
  
• Horse Care - Level 2 - 3 - While currently in wedged shoes with leather pads, Za is not expected to need specialty shoes in the future once her feet grow out a bit more.
  
  
• Riding - N/A
  
  
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - Za is sweet as can be and generally unflappable. She adapts well and has a default relaxed personality. Za is more of a "tomboy" personality and gets along with all the horses that have been in different turnout groups with her (and some of them have been difficult, alpha personalities). Za is unfazed though! She does wear a cribbing collar to prevent her from cribbing on her feed tub at times, but it’s not a frequent behavior and she is easily dissuaded by the collar. She does not wear a cribbing collar in turnout; she just happily grazes away! While some of the other mares can get easily attached to their turnout buddies or stall neighbors, Za is independent and confident; she doesn’t like to be totally alone, but that’s the same for most horses! 
   
• Physical Capability - N/A - Za had a chip removed from her left knee and her post-surgical prognosis was exceptional with few limitations, but a recent vet exam revealed arthritic changes in the knee that will preclude her from any athletic career. As such, Za is available as a companion/ sport horse broodmare only. Given her disposition, we believe she would be a fantastic prospect for either job and​​ we feel confident that she would produce lovely offspring!

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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.