New VocationsRacehorse Adoption Program

About Us

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program was founded in 1992 to offer retiring racehorses a safe-haven, rehabilitation, and continued education through placement in experienced, caring homes. Most of the horses arriving at New Vocations are injured and thin, suffering the normal occupational hazards of racing. Without a useful skill to offer their previous option was often a one-way ticket to the local livestock auction. New Vocations provides a safety net for these horses matching them with qualified individuals and following up on their rehabilitation and vocational training to ensure a successful transition. Additionally, the Program acts as an outreach to disadvantaged youth challenging them through the equine experience and motivational teachings to set worthy goals.

Over 2,000 retiring Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds have been placed in qualified homes through the New Vocations effort since 1992 with an anticipated 200 this year. These horses have come from 18 states and been adopted by families throughout the country. The Youth Outreach is coordinated through the West Central Ohio Juvenile Delinquent Center.

New Vocations has two scenic Ohio locations. The Laura facility is 25 miles NW of Dayton and encompasses 32 acres of rolling, creek fed pastures with multiple paddocks and barns. In Hilliard, New Vocations leases paddocks and stabling at the Sid Griffith Equestrian Center, a manicured showplace that is also home to a commercial boarding, lesson, and training operation.

Founder and Executive Director Dot Morgan handles administration, education, and promotion out of the Laura office. Morgan is an Equine Specialist with a B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Kentucky. Married for 31 years to fifth generation trainer/driver Charles Morgan, the couple has two daughters, Anna, a World Champion Saddle Seat rider and Winnie, a National Champion Stock Seat rider. Morgan is a 14 year director of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, a ten year 4-H Advisor, and a Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association trustee. Previous to founding New Vocations she assisted her husband with their racing stable and managed their breeding/boarding farm.

Anna Ford is the Adoption Manager and Director of the Hilliard facility. Her office is at the Sid Griffith Equestrian Center in Hilliard 15 miles West of Columbus. Ford is a graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Communications. She is also a World Champion Equestrian, has studied and instructed Internationally and is Masters Certified through the Certified Horsemen’s Association. Prior to working for New Vocations, Ford was a Youth Minister and led dozens of mission trips in the U.S. and abroad.

Our Mission

To stand in the gap for noncompetitive, often injured racehorses providing a peaceful environment and skilled hands to assist in their development as pleasure mounts. To place these horses in experienced loving homes that will continue their education so each has a skill and therefore, a future. To use the Program as an outreach for at risk youth to instill work ethics and a sense of responsibility. Racehorses coming off the track, often injured and thin, have no useful skill to offer.

Consequently, large numbers of these quality individuals go to slaughter. Likewise, at-risk-youth are often ill equipped with the self-esteem and work ethics required to become responsible adults. At this vulnerable stage in the lives of both horses and young people, many will be lost if an advocate doesn’t step forward.

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program believes in the talent and potential of the horses and the youth. It endeavors to stand in the gap providing a transitional haven and skilled hands, loving care and tough love, a future of hope and a brighter tomorrow.

Friends of New Vocations