• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 3 - Diamond needs a confident handler that will make necessary corrections to keep his attention and behavior in check. He is led around the farm in a rope halter or chain shank. He isn’t going anywhere, but can be rude and doesn’t always respect his handler - especially if his handler is timid or easily pushed around. 
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 4 - Diamond is learning to be more patient in the cross ties but is not appreciative of anyone taking their time. He doesn’t particularly enjoy being brushed, and will not hesitate to let you know with some threats and a grouchy face. Once he’s tacked up he switches gears to being all business and the behavior subsides. It’s like he’s saying "Stop fussing and get on with it!"
• Horse Care - Level 3 - Diamond is an easy keeper but I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that he is always the boss in the field. He is currently turned out with another gelding, but in the past has been turned out with babies, a mini donkey and even a Limousin cow! He is currently shod in front steel shoes and is on a daily magnesium supplement to see if that will help with his ‘touchiness’.
• Riding - Level 1 - 2 - Diamond is a very enjoyable horse to ride! He has an incredible work ethic. While we are taking our time getting him back in shape after two years in the field, he is well balanced and gives you a feel of class and power while continuing to stay responsive to his rider. He is very brave and marches right around spooky things without a second glance.
• General Demeanor - Level 4 - It is important to stress that an older horse like Diamond is who he is. His new partner should be accepting of this and strive for an understanding and insist on mutual respect. To have a War Horse like this on your side is a horse that will walk through fire for you! His work ethic is unmatched in the barn, and with how bold he is we wouldn’t be surprised to see him develop up to the higher levels of a sport like eventing with the right rider.
• Physical Capability - Level 5 - While Diamond enjoyed a long, successful career on the track we have no reason to believe he won’t enjoy the same in his second career. He retired with no significant injuries or 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 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.