“Monty” is a quiet and fancy young prospect with a serious future ahead of him!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - Monty leads happily around the farm in a plain halter and cotton shank.
  
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - He stands quietly to tack but (like many youngsters!) can sometimes get a bit bored if the process is taking too long. He might need a couple reminders to stand still if he gets fidgety, but he means no harm ... he just wants to get out for a ride!
  
  
• Horse Care - Level 2 - Monty does best in front shoes while working. He always has a great appetite and is easy to care for!
  
  
• Riding - Level 1 - 2 - Monty is still green but is quickly developing into a really special young prospect. He is very balanced, responsive and accepting of contact. He works in a lovely frame. He has strengthened up remarkably since beginning his retraining and gets better with each passing week. He is quiet and an above average mover, and we see a pretty serious hunter career in this gelding’s future!
  
  
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - 2 - Monty is fantastic to have in the barn and work with. He is eager to please, has a great work ethic and, while he’s still a 3 year old, has a very mature way about him. He is happy in or out and loves to play with his friends during turnout.
  
  
• Physical Capability - Level 5 - He was a little uneven behind and with a stifle that was occasionally sticky when he arrived at New Vocations. Our veterinarian recommended some vacation to turnout and, since starting retraining, Monty has continued to improve with work as his hind end get stronger. We foresee Monty enjoying a very successful second career with no limitations!

 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.