Keno is a sweet gelding who loves getting attention!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - Keno has the best brain! You can tell he had exceptional handling throughout his career and as a result he is a good natured, loving fellow! He is mannerly to lead and work with.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Keno is very good for grooming and tacking. He can even be handled by knowledgeable children. He loves being groomed and enjoys ear and face scratches.
• Horse Care - Level 2 - Keno is currently doing well barefoot. In his new career, if his workload increases he may require front shoes.
• Riding - Level 2 - Keno is an absolute gentleman under saddle. Quiet, happy and willing to try, he is a trainer favorite. He is currently going at the walk, trot and canter under saddle and on the lunge.
• General Demeanor - Level 1 - Keno is a happy and mannerly gelding. He is playful and enjoys the company of his people. He gets along with everyone - horses, dogs and humans. He was gelded later in life, so he does best in a herd of boys.
• Physical Capability - Level 1 - Keno suffered a fracture to the sesamoid 2 years ago and it has healed, but he would do best in trail riding, low level, non-jumping home.

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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.