• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 3 - Piglet is a mischievous fellow who can get a bit pushy while being led to and from turnout, and does well with a handler who is able to foresee and subdue excitable behaviors. Luckily, he learns quickly and adapts well to consistently-kept ground rules! 

• Grooming and Tacking - Level 3 - 4 - He is still learning to compromise in activities which involve grooming/handling, but ties wonderfully. A soft brush, some cookies and patience will be the key with this special guy!

• Horse Care - Level 1 - Piglet is comfortable barefoot and does well on our default feeding program. 

• Riding - Level 2 - In stark contrast to his bold confidence on the ground, Piggy’s demeanor in the arena has been exceptionally reserved! He readily accepts new challenges without hesitation or fear, but requires a firm, encouraging leg to gain momentum. His person should plan to dedicate some time to build fitness and develop good carriage before beginning a serious workload! 

• General Demeanor - Level 3 - 4 - Overall, Piglet is a my-way-or-the-highway type of guy, and will need a partner who can roll with the punches as he navigates this new life and expectations. He never acts out of malice, and we truly believe that he simply needs time to adapt to a new set of rules. He will be a wonderful project for a professional that is looking for true talent in a unique package!

• Physical Capability - Level 3 - 4 - Other than some mild wear in his knees from his track training, Piglet is ready to tackle a new career! Radiographic findings show some close spinous processes, so fitness and topline strength will be of peak importance for optimal performance, but he is comfortable with all thoracic, lumbar, SI and gluteal palpation! We could easily see Piglet excelling in a mid-level career.

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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 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.