2023 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2  - Miss Empire is a horse that we could describe as an amateur-friendly lead– she is generally quiet and well-mannered. She is respectful of space and listens well– all amazing qualities to have in a 3 year-old already!
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - Miss Empire is a horse who shows reliability and easy nature once she’s acclimated to a new situation. For example, she was nervous walking into the closed space that makes up our wash stall, but stood absolutely statue-still being stall tied for grooming and tacking.
• Horse Care -  Level 2 - She is currently in front shoes and has done well on our feeding program without any additional supplements. 
• Riding - Level 2 - 3  - Though a little quick-minded at first, Miss Empire State settled right into a ridden routine, and is proving to be a quick study! She is looking for a rider who can keep her mind busy and encourage softness with a light but consistent hand.
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - She is a kind, submissive-type mare who loves to be loved on and loves to be part of a group. She has been turned out with many different combinations of groups (all mares– we don’t have mixed gendered turnouts) and doesn’t even cause conflict– even when there was a mare who wanted to hoard all the other mares away from her!
• Physical Capability - Level 2 - 3 - Miss Empire State had surgery to remove a knee chip in her left knee around a year ago and has healed well but does have some arthritic changes. She would be well-suited for a low-mid level career and we could easily see her standing out in a hunter or dressage ring, or being a fantastic pleasure mount due to her easy-going nature.

Miss Empire State came to New Vocations through the NYTHA Take the Lead program. We are grateful for their support!

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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.