2022 Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

Despite selling for a half a million dollars as a yearling, “Howie” never made it to the track. He's shown us he enjoys a slower-paced lifestyle and has the right stuff to excel in any number of other career paths!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 - Howie can be easily led with a regular halter and lead and responds well to a confident handler. 
  
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - He stands patiently on the crossties to be groomed and loved on. 
  
  
• Horse Care - Level 3 - He has front shoes with a leather pad (for extra sole protection), and hind shoes. 
  
  
• Riding - Level 2 - 3 - Howie is more whoa than go, so he benefits from having a strong rider to keep him motivated (or a rider who enjoys just going slow)!
  
  
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - He is generally a laid-back guy who keeps to himself in his stall. He goes out with a group of geldings and is a mid- to low-ranked herd member who enjoys interacting with and playing with the others!
  
  
• Physical Capability - Level 4 - Howie had time off from race training for some bone bruising last year, and then his race connections decided to send him to New Vocations to start a new career path rather than keep him on the faster-paced track, so he is a relatively clean slate! He does have a scar on his chest from an injury he sustained as a baby, but it's only cosmetic and has no impact on his physical capabilities. Howie is a Ferdinand the Bull type—he likes to smell the roses—so he will need a patient adopter who also enjoys the journey rather than trying to push towards shorter-term goals. For the right adopter, though, we are certain Howie will be not only a kind, level-headed mount, but also a lifetime buddy. 

 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.