2023 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 1 - Scotty is a solid citizen on the ground! He's easy to lead and handle.
  
  
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 1 - Scotty enjoys his grooming sessions with soft brushes and warm bubble baths. This adorable gelding loves people and has never met a stranger! He's very personable and has learned to check the pockets of those around him for tasty treats!
  
  
• Horse Care - Level 2 - Scotty currently wears front steel shoes. As his workload progresses, he may benefit from hind shoes as well. Scotty is also working on gaining some weight from his time on the track.
  
  
• Riding - Level 3 - Scotty is a lovely ride with a soft mouth. He has been an absolute gentleman to ride both in the indoor and hacking around the farm. As with any fresh off-the-track Thoroughbred, he is working on his rhythm and balance as a sport or pleasure mount. He's always willing to try what you ask him. Scotty's perfect adopter would be a confident rider who has experience bringing along OTTB's into new careers, or who is working with a trainer with such experience.
  
  
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - Scotty is currently happy in individual turnout, but he is an amenable fellow who would do well in a small group of geldings.
  
  
• Physical Capability - Level 3 - Scotty retired from racing sound! He came to us with some body soreness, and is working on strengthening his hind end. He is currently in a light work program walking over poles on the ground and up and down a small hill to build strength. It is recommended that his adopter continue these strengthening exercises and gradually phase them out as he builds muscle to set him up for success! He is an absolutely lovely horse with an excellent brain, and will excel in a steady and consistent program.

 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.