Danga Russ, lovingly known as Ransom or Russy has been a well-loved member of his adopter's family for the past two years. He is available for his next loving adopter through no fault of his own.  She fell for his charming personality and fancy movement, and knows you will too! *Please note the photos in front of the house are from 2022. His current photos are the ones standing in the field.

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - Ransom is a relaxed guy who is easily led in a plain halter and lead rope.  He is friendly and safe on the ground for kids and less experienced handlers.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Ransom stands quietly in the crossties for grooming and tacking. He will let you brush his glorious mane and tail all day! Ransom is easy to bridle.
• Horse Care - Level 1 - Ransom is happily barefoot and an easy keeper.
• Riding - Level 1 - Ransom has been a quiet and willing partner under saddle for the past two years.  He has a lovely forward trot but is also equally happy to mosey around.  He has begun working on his canter under saddle but is still working on his balance. He also has been out on some gentle trails, hacked around the farm, and has been started over small jumps.
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - This giant goofball loves attention! He's quite the character and makes us smile daily. Occasionally he'll pull a grumpy face, but he's a softy with a sweet and easy-going nature. He loves attention and head rubs.
• Physical Capability - Level 3 - Ransom has no known injuries or limitations. His spectacular trot would make him shine in the hunter or dressage rings, and he would also make a lovely field hunter.

 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.