2023 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

This good looking guy has a sporty, compact build, funny personality and super movement! We can’t help but talk about his cute face and gentle eye. Stewart always has his head out, ready for a pat as riders walk by his stall. We have just started Stewart back under saddle. 

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 4 - Stewart requires a chain to lead if he hasn't had regular turnout. He can be a bit jiggy at times while heading out, and needs to be reminded where he's supposed to walk.
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - Stewart stands quietly on the cross ties to be groomed and tacked. He loves to be pampered!
• Horse Care - Level 3 - Stewart is wearing front shoes. He had been barefoot until recently, when our ground started to freeze.
• Riding - Level 5 - Stewart is forward thinking and wants to go to work. Although he is not spooky (he's actually quite brave!), he can be a little explosive. We think he will do best with a confident, experienced rider, or a professional trainer who can give him some structure. Stewart is antsy at the mounting block and will anticipate what's coming.
• General Demeanor - Level 3 - Stewart is excellent to groom and tack. He will sometimes entertain himself by grabbing at the cross ties. He likes to play with his jolly ball and will often rearrange his blankets on the front of his stall if in reach! Stewart can be pushy on the ground, and needs to be given appropriate outlets for his energy.
• Physical Capability - Level 5 - He sustained a tendon injury in August, but his rehab has been uneventful and his tendon looks good on ultrasound! He has maintained soundness, but is just coming back into work. Stewart is ready to be put into a more structured training program with the right adopter. We can see this guy making a sporty event horse, lovely dressage horse or nice hunter after continued training!

 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.