2023 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - Defensible is very easy to handle on the ground and can be led with a simple halter and lead. 

Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - He enjoys being doted on and stands well on the crossties to be groomed and tacked, but will paw if left alone for too long.

Horse Care - Level 2 - Defensible is barefoot. He does crib, but this is controlled with a cribbing collar. We've reduced his adoption fee due to his cribbing.

Riding - Level 2 - Defensible is a fairly straightforward ride. He is still green and will drift to the inside of the arena but is learning how to move off of leg aids very quickly! He is a more forward ride and can be strong at times so he will require a confident rider. He is a very brave horse, will go wherever he is asked and has even been ridden in the rain!

General Demeanor - Level 2 - 3 - Defensible is looking to find someone to make a connection with. He is a sweet horse and we think he will really come out of his shell with the right person! In turnout he is more of a dominant, playful horse. He will need a buddy who enjoys a fun game of halter tag, or one who ignores his shenanigans and levels him out.

Physical Capability - Level 4 - Defensible came to us with some mild changes in his knee but was cleared with no physical limitations for the future. As always, veterinary records are available to interested and approved adopters!

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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.