We know that Latest Desire is just what your heart desires! This showy gelding has recently retired from a successful racing career and is ready to be a super star in his new life. We see him being a really fancy show horse for the right person! While he raced as a pacer, "Dee" has a big trot, an up-hill way of going and a very commanding presence!

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 - Dee is still adjusting to life away from the track. He can occasionally be impatient going from one place to another. We use a regular halter and cotton lead rope, but have to remind him sometimes to not outwalk his handler. 
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Dee is a perfect gentleman in the cross ties and will stand patiently to be pampered with brushing and care. He is polite to saddle and bridle. 
• Horse Care - Level 1 - Our farrier believes he has a good, strong hoof and should be able to remain barefoot. He is an easy keeper and keeps an immaculate stall!
• Riding - Level 2 - Work under saddle is new to Dee, and while he has taken quickly to being a riding horse, he isn't always the most confident in new situations. He prefers a rider who can calmly navigate him through "scary" situations, like the snow coming off the roof (which you can see at the end of his video). In corners or when he gets nervous, he will fall into a shuffle-pace, but with time he will hold that beautiful trot!  On the lunge line he regularly offers to canter, and he is learning to canter under saddle. 
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - We joke a little that Dee actually stands for "Diva".  He is used to being pampered and will let you know if he is unhappy. He will let you know in turnout when he has been out long enough, and will run the gate until you bring him in.  We don't see him as a 24/7 turnout horse as he does enjoy the comforts of his well bedded stall (especially in inclement weather). He does seem to get along with his pasture mates as long as they aren't too rowdy.
• Horse Physical Capability - Level 4 - Dee retired sound from a long and successful racing career.  He does not have any limitations for his future. 

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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.