YMI Special doesn't need to ask anyone that question! It's easy to answer for this Trotter! This special 15 year old horse was bred, trained and raced by the same owners his entire career, which means he was very special to them. Due to life changes, they needed to send him to New Vocations for his next career. "Jack" is very brave in harness and the girls on the farm love driving him!

This veteran on the track raced 191 times in his home state of Delaware. Jack has been driven in arenas, around the farm and for leisurely trips around the neighborhood to enjoy some fall foliage. Along the way Jack encountered bridges, cows, peacocks, cars and trucks with trailers flying by. None of this phases him and he obediently walks or trots where and when asked.

He stands while being hooked to the cart and would be an excellent endurance driving horse. He is a gorgeous, proud mover. Although we have ridden Jack, riding isn't his favorite. We think a driving home would be most suitable for him. Under saddle Jack is anxious and would need a confident experienced rider to bring him along.

This special horse is 100% professional when it comes to what he knows and loves. For someone looking for a bombproof driving horse, look no further!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - Jack leads to and from his paddock without issue.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Jack stands quietly and loves attention!
• Horse Care - Level 1 - Jack has amazing feet, is barefoot, and requires no special care. He has even driven on the road barefoot without issue. Jack could even stand to live outdoors with a run-in shed.
• Riding - Level 5 - As mentioned above, Jack would require a confident, experienced rider to pursue an under saddle career. With the right person and further training, he will make a nice riding horse.
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - Jack is very well behaved. He can get anxious sometimes, but it's never to misbehave. When he is unsure of something, he will show us by standing on 3 legs (especially when waiting for the grain cart).
• Physical Capability - Level 4 - Jack has no known injuries and has had a ton of let down time since his racing career.

 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 range around $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.
  
  
• $2,000 - $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 - $1,500: 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.