2023 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - 2 - He is routinely led easily with a plain lead rope and is respectful of his handler.

• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - 2 - Chewy crossties well, though he needed some very basic encouragement to enter the wash stall at first. He enjoys being groomed and doted on, and even stood quietly while getting his legs and ears clipped! When he had to stand still for awhile for an ultrasound, he would grind his teeth in frustration but never moved his feet!

• Horse Care - Level 1 - He is barefoot and an easy keeper! He's even lived outside 24/7 recently for layup time and held condition very well.

• Riding - Level TBD - Chewy is still rehabbing from a tendon injury, so he hasn’t started work under saddle yet, but we have a rehab ride plan laid out for him, which he should be okay to start in a month or so!

• General Demeanor - Level 1 - 2 - Chewy is very easy-going and extremely kind! He enjoys the company of horses, dogs, people etc.! He approaches new situations with curiosity and bravery– we haven’t seen a spook yet!

• Physical Capability - Level 3 - 4 - Stonecrest is rehabbing from a left front superficial digital flexor tendon injury. He will need a slow progression back to work, but in our experience, with appropriate time and reconditioning, horses with similar injuries have gone on to have full careers! We could see him being an exceptional show hunter or western pleasure mount. He jogs sound right now, barefoot!

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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.