2023 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover Eligible

• Leading and Ground Manners - Level 2 - Archie is generally good to lead, but can sometimes get excitable when closely walking past other horses. Because of this, he is occasionally led with a chain over his nose to remind him to stay focused on his handler. 
• Grooming and Tacking - Level 2 - Archie stands quietly for tacking and is learning to be patient when the process is taking longer than he'd like. He enjoys flapping his lips when being bridled and while standing around - it's his way of saying "Let's go!"
• Horse Care - Level 2 - 3 - Archie is living outdoors and learning how to be a horse during turnout. He is a good fit for an older, more dominant gelding that can guide him on appropriate play and social boundaries. He came to us with a bit of a crushed heel that we are supporting with front shoes and a frog support pad.
• Riding - Level 2 - Archie is a fancy and quiet mount under saddle. He is more of a push ride. At first he was a little unsure about the scary jumps in our big grass ring, but with a little encouragement he quickly realized he was going to be just fine, and went right to work! While still green, he is very balanced for such a young horse and will make an incredible upper level prospect for any discipline!
• General Demeanor - Level 2 - Archie is an absolutely stunning, correct young horse. He is a good boy and has a very sweet personality. He was recently castrated so he can sill occasionally display some stallion-like behaviors, mainly when it comes to other horses. A suitable adopter for Archie should be comfortable and mindful of this while his testosterone levels continue to decrease.
• Physical Capability - Level 5 - Archie retired from racing with no known injuries - he just had a serious case of the slows! He will be unlimited in his next career as a sport horse prospect!

 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.