2023 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2  - Ruby is a smart girl who knows exactly when it’s time to eat or go outside, and is still learning to wait her turn during transitional periods. A gentle but firm reminder is all she needs to shape up, and she tries hard to please!
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2-3 - Ruby prefers a soft brush for her body and is sensitive to touch in her hip/flank, so she asks that her handler give plenty of warning before handling this area.
• Horse Care -  Level 1-2 - She wears basic front shoes and holds weight beautifully on ½ of our regular feeding ration!
• Riding - Level 2  - Ruby is a zesty character who is ready to light up the show ring! Though she is packed with personality and class, she sometimes isn’t sure exactly how to please her rider. As she navigates her new career, she appreciates clear instructions and plenty of time to adjust to new expectations.
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - She is a sensitive type who loves her friends, her food, and her face scratches! She is the first to the gate and the first to the hay, so would do best in a turnout where she can assume a starring role. 
• Physical Capability - Level 3-4 - Ruby came to us with some history of fiber disruption in her suspensories. She had lots of time off and proper rehabilitation, so she is sound and ready to take on a new career!

 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.