2022 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

After many successes on the track, “Cartier,” a gorgeous son of Medaglia d'Oro, retired with no known injuries! The sky's the limit for this stunner and we can see him being a golden star in the show rings!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 - We generally lead Cartier with a chain, but we think he'd be fine in a standard lead rope and halter, too! He is generally very level-headed and easily led by himself or with another horse to turnout. He handles very easily around the barn, too!
  
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - 3 - He stands patiently on the crossties to be groomed and loved on with only occasional moments of impatience in the crossties as he’s being tacked up. He's currently a bit weary of saddling and braces as he’s being saddled, so he benefits from a warm up and loosens up with massage. He should not be “cold-backed” as he is developing supportive topline and hind-end muscle.
  
  
• Horse Care - Level 2 - He just wears plain shoes on his front hooves.
  
  
• Riding - Level 2 - 3 -  Cartier is more “go” than “whoa” and tries to press through his front end, where he has far more muscling. As such, he benefits from a confident rider with a very light, independent seat who'll be able to develop him appropriately.
  
  
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - He is a very quiet, laid back guy, who enjoys attention but also keeps to himself in his stall. He goes out with a group of geldings and is very independent; he likes to stay out of conflict!
  
  
• Physical Capability - Level 5 - Cartier retired with no known injuries! It's clear that he's a very special horse with lots to offer his adopter in another discipline, and we know he'll be a tremendously enjoyable, loveable buddy and riding partner! He last raced less than three months ago and was gelded less than two months ago, so he will need appropriate time and goals as he lets down and transitions to a new career path. 

 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.