• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 3 - 4 - Missy is generally quiet to lead, but has had moments where she can get panicked and worried about head pressure. She leads quietly with a lip chain, but is uncomfortable about a chain over her nose or under her chin.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 3 - Missy is learning to relax and will tie in a stall the way she is used to. With her anxiety about her head and re-learning to give to pressure, we aren't in a hurry or position to expect her to safely and quietly stand on the cross ties.
• Horse Care - Level 1 - Missy is an easy keeper. She gets along well with others and is happy in her stall, but has more recently been living outside. She is currently happily barefoot.
• Riding - Level TBD - Missy would benefit from more ground work and desensitization training before being restarted under saddle.
• General Demeanor - Level 4 - It is very important that Missy is given time to get to know her new person, and that she is worked with in a kind, understanding manner to help build her confidence. She has not been quick to trust, and is still guarded, but is working daily on small tasks with the same person to help her feel secure. We expect she will very much be a "one person" horse. 
• Physical Capability - Level 5 - Missy has undergone dual arthroscopic knee surgery and has fully completed her rehab. She has an EXCELLENT prognosis for an unlimited career! Missy has a cosmetic scar on her right hind.

 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.