2022 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

“Silver” has the good looks and personality that everyone's searching for!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - We’ve only ever needed a plain halter and rope to lead Silver around the farm. He is quiet and respectful.
  
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Silver stands quietly on the crossties to be brushed, bathed and tacked. He loves a good curry and is a big fan of carrots!
  
  
• Horse Care - Level 3 - Silver needed glue on shoes when he arrived but has since transitioned out of them to front steel and pads. Our farrier said he could benefit from hind shoes, as well, but he's still barefoot behind at the moment since he turns out with friends. A good blacksmith and regular schedule will be important for this big guy!
  
  
• Riding - Level 1 - Silver is fantastic under saddle. He's brave, trustworthy and coming along very well. He does stick his tongue out the front of his mouth when bridled, but he's done this less frequently after we had his teeth floated and switched him to a Bomber Happy Tongue snaffle.
  
  
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - A gentle giant who loves being doted on, Silver tries very hard to please his riders and handlers. He is very quiet, great to handle and a pleasure to have around the barn.
  
  
• Physical Capability - Level 4 - Silver has rehabbed splint fractures with us, and they're now completely healed. He does have an osselet in one ankle but it is cold and set.

 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.