Dressage Entries are still needed for the New Vocations Horse Show July 31 & August 1.  This is an important fundraiser and entries are the key for success.  Our Dressage Show Secretary Sue Black is still taking entries and welcomes your call.  Click on “Horse Show” on the website menu for the information you need.  Then, please bring your horses and come!  Our overhead is set.  We need horses and riders to come out and enjoy the weekend with us!  A delicious complimentary full breakfast is served both Saturday and Sunday morning and then stick around Saturday evening when the Barn Dads led by Tom and Cheryl Baxter dish up a free dinner.

Broadway is a confident regal gelding.  He was a very successful racehorse winning close to 350k since the age of two.   He won the Maryland Million Turf in  2008 and placed in several other well known stake races.  Broadway spent the majority of his life at the track and he loved it.  He always had the best of care while at the track, which can be seen by his good condition and fun loving personality.  He is the type of horse that loves to take in new sights around him.  Broadway’s first day turned out he just stood in the middle of his paddock for almost 2 hours taking in everything.  He is extremely smart and has adjusted to his new life well.  His last race was on 6/2.  He was retired because he no longer could compete at a higher level. He truly enjoys having a job and daily interaction with people. We have started working him under saddle in the arena and even out on a short hack.  Broadway should be suitable for any discipline including jumping. Since he was only gelded in June he will need a home that knows how to handle a newly gelded horse.  He has great ground manners and has not been a problem to handle at all but has not been turned out with any other horses yet.

Hunters Big Guy is a 12 year old, 15 hand gelding.  He has a beautiful long mane, and foretop, and lots of dapples.  His is your all around super family horse.  Hunter has tons of riding experience, he has raced under saddle, along with 60 days professional training.  He is a complete gentleman with everything he does.  He will make an excellent family horse!  Hunter will excel as an all around pleasure horse, good to hook, or as a trail horse.

Hunters Riding Video

Kensington Grey is a beautiful 2006 BIG 16.2 hand grey gelding.  Kenny never raced after a spill on the track during a training mile.  His owners loved him so much they didn’t that to become a scar on his future.  Kenny has been turned out for a year at his owners house, they are older and cannot continue to care for him.  He is a very sweet and spoiled boy who is looking for someone to continue to do so.  Because Kenny is young an experienced rider would be best.  He is very athletic and willing to do what is asked of him.  He will excel as a hunter/jumper, dressage, pleasure, or trail horse.  Give him some miles and he will grow to be a very nice riding horse.

Kenington Grey Video

Blue Dahlia is a dark bay 2003 mare that stands about 15.3 hands. Dahlia raced 95 times making over $45,000 and decided she just didn’t want to race anymore.  She has retired sound.  She is super sweet to be around. Loves to be brushed and likes to have her head over the gate of her stall to see who she can con into getting some attention from.  She is perfect in the paddock, she has been turned out with mare and geldings.

After just two rides Dahlia went on the trails and was a very good girl! She went through the tall grass and up and down hills. She needed a little encouragement at first and then she LOVED it! Ears were up and ready to head out to the sunset! Dahlia is a joy to ride.  She will make a great trail, pleasure, or all around mount.

Blue Dahlia on the Trails

This elegant young filly ran her last race on 6/26.  Lucky has clean legs and sound for any discipline.  She only raced 2 times and was retired because she didn’t show any desire to run.  She takes in everything well and has adjusted to her new environment quickly considering her age and lack of experience.  Under saddle she has  a quiet mind, decent work ethic, soft mouth and not spooky.  Her best gait is her canter at this stage.  It is very rhythmical, easy and balanced.  Keep in mind that she did only race 3 weeks ago and is still growing.  Her trot will improve as her muscles start to relax and as she physically continues to mature.  Lucky is the type of filly who loves attention and will put her head in your chest.  She has a very sweet nature and has not shown her marish side.  Lucky is still adjusting to turn out but does well with her pasture buddy.  She has no vices.  Lucky is by Stormy Atlantic and out of a Gone West dam.

Recur is a cute young unraced gelding.  He has the temperament of a quarter horse and he is only 3.  You can view his longeing video to see his true movement.  Under saddle he is sucked back and a bit  lazy, ridden with spurs and a crop.  We have not been in any hurry with him.  He just had surgery on both knees in April to remove chip fractures off the radial facet of the third carpal bones.  He has been fully rehabbed and just gelded.  Recur is fine for light work this summer and could resume harder training in the fall.  He has been sound, is on no bute or medication.  Recur would be a great pleasure mount because he has a great laid back disposition.  He could do dressage and possibly lower level jumping next summer.  Right now he is young, lazy, and just needs time to grow up.

He has a nice stout frame, very flashy with all his white.  Has good ground manners, baths, grooms, stands well for farrier.  He has not yet been turned out with other gelding yet due to him just being gelded, however he doesn’t act studish at all around other horses.  He has been out on a short trail ride with another horse and did extremely well.

This tall elegant gelding is a true gentle giant.  Marion has no idea that he is 16.3h and would sit in your lap if he could.  He is a very friendly guy who seeks attention.  Marion has been at the track since the age of 2 and raced a total of 104 times earning close to 1/2 million dollars.  His last race was 6/5.  With only a short amount of down time Marion is quickly adjusting to a slower paced life.  He is now going out for a couple hours with two other geldings with no problems.  Marion does love his stall since that his all he has known for the last 9 years, so he will need to go to a home where he can gradually be introduced to more time turned out.

We have just started riding him.  The video below is of his first ride since he left the track.  He is very sensible and aims to please.  He just needs time to learn the basics of bending and going straight.  This willing guy does move better when he is relaxed, which will come with time.  His legs are remarkably clean considering the amount of times he has raced.  He has no current injuries although he did come with a set of x-rays of his left knee.  After his last race he had some soreness but the x-rays look good and are available upon request.  He has not taken a bad step since he has been with us.  We feel he should be suitable for any type of flat work and possibly some lower level jumping or fox hunting.

This solid chunky guy looks like a warmblood.  He had a minor bow in race training but went on to race soundly five times afterwards. He has been lightly ridden for the past five months, flat work in the ring. Lenny is a gentleman to ride and stands quietly when mounted. He willingly goes down the trails. As a yearling he sold for 310 K, he is by Aptitude by a Dixieland Band mare.

This handsome son of Gulch sold for 120k as a two year old.  He has great conformation and over all is a classy guy.  We just started working him under saddle and he has proven to be rather lazy.  He is a big stout guy who really isn’t in a hurry.  Gulch isn’t hot or spooky but is green.  He only raced 5 times and only as a 3 year old.  Thus his legs are clean with no apparent injuries.  Gulch was retired early due to a cyst in his throat.  We have had him scoped.  The vet report was 50/50 in that his condition could stay the same or could get worse.  So far it has not affected him for flat work, and didn’t affect him during race training, however, was obviously an issue when racing.  We have waived his fee because of this issue.  He goes out fine with other horses and hasn’t shown any vices.

Charley was a high priced yearling who sold for 300k at Keeneland.  This Distorted Humor gelding truly shows his class in everything he does.  He is a confident gelding who has had the best of care his whole life and expects nothing less in his next career.  Lightly raced with only 12 starts Charley retired sound with no injuries.  His last race was on 6/20, so in less than a month he is already adjusted well to arena work and farm life.  Charley should be suitable for any discipline including jumping.  He really could do anything with the proper training and guidance.  Charley needs a home where he will continue to be pampered and well kept.  He would do well as a hunter or possibly dressage.  He has a great work ethic, goes around and does his job with out a fuss.  Charley has no vices.

Here is a new video of the striking mare, Fan Anna, former Ohio Pacing Filly of the Year!  I thought this mare would be intimidating to kids, but she really likes them and responds well to them.  Please note that the new video appears “squinched” on my computer.  It makes Fan Anna look short coupled and narrow in the chest.  In reality, as you can see from her other videos, she is a well balanced big framed, stout mare.

 Fan Anna raced at two and three earning $178,000 before retiring to the broodmare shed.  She raised eight foals, but none were profitable at the track so she came to New Vocations to begin a new career.  As one would expect from a horse of her class, Fan Anna was easy to ride right from the beginning.   She’s confident on trails, through water, and among cows.  Though, she can sound somewhat snorty when she looks at things, she’s not spooky.  She’ll walk all day on a loose rein and has a lovely trot.  Fan Anna wears her class with beauty and style.  She’ll make a nice pleasure mount for family trail rides or 4-H.    Fan Anna does prefer to trot and looks sharp under English tack.  She is clean legged, sound, and pleasant to work around.    This mare is truly a treasure from the track and sure to endear herself to the family that will open their heart to her.

 

Prince is a stunning mover who just floats across the arena.  Not only does he have nice hunter movement he also has a great mind to go with it.  He is almost bombproof, takes everything in well, and is actually a bit lazy.  The amazing thing is that he only came to us the last week in June, so what you see in the video is simply him with out much training.  Prince raced 10 times.  During race training in February he sustained a slab fracture to his right knee.  He had surgery immediately to repair the fracture and was given the status of “racing soundness is fair” in his release form (vet release form available upon request).   His donor decided not to bring  him back to the track but rather rehab him and then retire him to New Vocations.  He has been fully rehabbed and is now being ridden 2-3 times a week with no problems.  Prince should be suitable for lower level hunters (2′3″ -2′6″).  He is young but yet very mature for his age.  He is already 16.1 1/2h and should easily reach 16.2h.   This sweet natured boy would be a great addition to anyone’s barn.

The phrase “super little mare” is often heard in horse circles and in the case of this one, it really is Authentic. She is the real deal – extremely pretty, wonderful color and coat, nice confirmation, cadence and poise – the list goes one. Standing 16h, she is already on group turnout with mares, comes immediately to the gate when called and has wonderful ground manners. With a little down time, she has now been started back under saddle and has not put a foot wrong. She is sensible and brave, responsive to rider and has a good mouth. She has potential in any field and is sound for jumping/eventing

She is good to shoe, bathe, clip, saddle etc and has a kind, inquisitive personality that responds well to affection and she learns and adapts quickly. Authentic Shot is truly a beautiful mare that with the right partner can do anything.

If you are looking for a steady, calm quiet trail or family horse this is the guy for you.  He simply is easy and wants to please.  He was rescued from a situation in which the water and electricity had been turned off during the relentless upper ninety degree days we had here in the south in June. This horse is grateful.  I call him “Cuddly Lamont” because he is so quiet and sweet. He stands like a statue when mounted. This horse retired sound after a whopping 278 pacing starts.  His hours of service show in his demeanor as he seeks to quietly serve his humans.   He is by Life Sign who earned almost $2mil. He gets along well with his pasture mates.

This versatile horse can do anything.  If you ask him to rack, he will rack.  If you ask him to walk/trot/canter he will oblige as well. He stands quietly when mounted and enjoys the trails. He didn’t question the poles and could easily be taught to jump.  He raced at the pace seventeen times and retired sound. He is by Stampede Hanover. He was adopted by a young man who adored him and rode him quite a bit.  Unfortunately he had career changes that restricted his riding time and he felt it would be best for the horse to be ridden. The white mark on his left thigh is cute, unique and eye catching. He does well in turn out with the other horses.

This phenomenal horse had his last race in Texas on June 13 and retired sound.  His owner had him since birth. After ten races he decided Dynameius would be better off as a sport horse since he never was terribly competitive.  Dynameius is out of a Dynaformer mare who is the number one turf running producer and the sire of Barbaro. This horse is smart, smart, smart and bold, bold, bold.  He is inspired by challenge and new things.  He doesn’t get rattled by obstacles, strange looking objects, a flock of birds suddenly erupting out of a bush directly next to him, dogs under foot or going down trails alone. His former trainer said he was a gentleman under saddle and really enjoyed his workouts at the track. This is exactly what we have found here, he is easy to ride and enjoys the work. This is a horse that will be happiest with lots of saddle time and work.  He gets bored in the stall and is happiest with lots of turn out.

This beautiful young sound mare has every right to be “conseated” – standing 16.1h, she has a wonderful disposition and is exceptionally calm and quiet under saddle. From day one in the program, she has adapted smoothly to her new life and taken everything in her stride. Already on small group turn out with other mares, she does extremely well and is good to catch, clip, saddle, bathe etc.

Under saddle, she is willing and responsive. She is sound with no injuries and with her temperament, she is suitable for all pursuits including jumping. She only raced 5 times winning $1600.  It was clear that she was not competitive at the level her donor wanted her to race so she was retired in June.

The Fat Vicar is a kind, sensitive 4 year old gelding who stands 17h. Extremely well started, this young horses is sound and without injury and ready to go onto a new career. Enjoying daily group turnout with other geldings, he gets along very well with them and just calling his name will bring him galloping to the gate. He loves interaction with people and is truly a gentle giant.

He is good to catch, bath, saddle, farrier etc and has just been introduced to clippers which he readily accepted. He lunges both ways nicely and under saddle, he is smooth and calm with no spook at all. Still green in arena flat work, he is very willing and when he understands what is being asked of him, he responds immediately and with further training, he has the potential to be an exceptional horse.

As he is a big young horse that still requires some extra pounds, he requires a home where people understand the feeding requirements of such a large animal. He currently eats 20lbs of feed per day with ample turnout on good pasture and would need to stay at that level for the foreseeable future.

All this gorgeous, big gelding wants to do is be your buddy. Buddy adores attention and with his size and looks, he definitely garners it. Standing 17h, he is 7 years old but is truly an old gentleman in his ways. Exceptional in all ways to handle (farrier, clippers, bathe, catch etc), he is just as well mannered under saddle as he is on the ground. He is sound, sane and just a really nice ride with a light mouth and is fully responsive to his rider with no spook, buck or pull. His first ride after many months of turnout was excellent, very calm and relaxed and he has continued that way.

Following injuries to both hind fetlocks, he was rehabbed, given ample down time and deemed sound by an orthopedic vet to return to the track. However his donor felt he would now enjoy a more sedate career and so he was retired from racing. He is sound and fit for all flat work including dressage and trail. Buddy is a beautiful horse with a kindness and presence that belies his big size and would be a welcome addition to any one’s family.

Cherokee is a nice hunter type gelding.  With just a short amount of schooling he already shows a lot of potential.  He has a great mind, calm under saddle, and is actually a bit on the lazy side.  Goes around, does his job, and isn’t easily spooked.  Cherokee is starting to loosen up and move well through his shoulders.  He came to us directly from the track and was a bit muscle sore.  He has adjusted well to turn out with a buddy.  He goes out now for about 3-4 hours before asking to be brought back into his stall.  Cherokee has clean legs and is sound.  He did have a chip removed from his knee last Fall, but was fully rehabbed and brought back to the track.   He was training well at the track but didn’t show much desire to run so he was retired.  We have current x-rays available.  He has been cleared for lower level jumping (2′6″ and possibly higher with time) and any type of flat work.  He would make an excellent fox hunter or field hunter as well.   He doesn’t have any vices other than pinning his ears when people walk by his stall.

This is a stunning, completely sound, naturally gaited nine yr old gelding.  Chip is shorter coupled, with a gorgeous chiseled head, large intelligent eyes, and good feet and legs.  This is a very confident horse with an extremely smooth gait. He was imprinted at birth and has excellent manners.  Chip is gentle and enjoys attention.  He is a one owner horse that has always received the best of care.  Chip has over 6,000 miles in harness.  He’s stood in cross ties over 4,000 hrs, had over 1,000 baths, and been shod at least 100 times.  He’s been at the track eight where he’s seen tractors, water wagons, and drags on a daily basis.  This horse is extremely rich in life experiences and still sound and eager for a new job.  Chip is proven on trails, and would be competitive in gaited classes right now.  We seldom get such a beautiful horse with his soundess and experience. View Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ4U55rE0Do&feature=youtube_gdata

Here is an exceptionally nice horse that someone may want to speak for before we get him ridden and videoed.  This horse has already been ridden multiple times and pleasure driven.  Like is absolutely gorgeous, both inside and out!  He has a long, swan neck with a trim throat, beautiful head, and big intelligent eyes.  He is an elegant, large framed horse that can accommodate a large rider and looks stunning in harness. This horse is like a puppy dog to catch, lead, groom, tack, hitch and mount. He comes with a stellar resume’.  Like has been owned, trained, and raced by an amateur driver the past ten years.  The gelding has been the family’s personal favorite, and even had the honor of pulling a buggy with the wedding party when his owner got married.  Like was also ridden on occasion around the farm and track grounds by his caretaker.  Like is unusually well mannered and quiet to hitch and drive.  He is also quite sound, except for a minor ligament pull that will be fully healed and ready for service in 30 days. 

Effie is just as cute and sweet as her name.  This is a nimble mare who is so willing to do anything that is asked of her.  She trained as a pacer but never raced.  She has been ridden in the past and  prefers a clean trot and canter.  I imagine that she would make a phenomenal pony club mount. She is calm, willing and sensible. When ridden she never questions, barely even looks at the ground poles, log and water ditch and climbing the rock! She is able to canter. She is by Artisitc.  We have adopted out several horses by artistic and consistently hear what great minds they have; they are easy to handle.

Blue Monarch took to her first ride quite well, she even stood quietly for the first mounting, then turned her head and sniffed my feet.  She is a good minded mare and very sensible about things.  She went out on the trails and enjoyed them.  Monarch has a tremendously smooth rack and canter.  I can picture her as a nice trail mount for someone who wants a sturdy, sensible, strong horse.  This mare is a pacer who raced eight times in 2006 and retired sound.  Since then she has been waiting around for the right job to do, and I believe we have found it!  She is still a little green, but responds well to a “kiss” asking her to move forward.  She doesn’t rush off instead would rather stop and think when confused by what is being asked of her.  She doesn’t mind being separated from her stable mates to go down the trails by herself. Although only 15.2 hands, she is a big boned solid mare that will give you hours of smooth trail riding.

This gorgeous trotting filly trained and two and three, but did not race due to a minor sesamoid chip in a hind ankle.  It’s not in the joint, and she has been fully rehabbed.  It should never be an issue even for extreme sports. But the filly’s half sister wasn’t profitable, so the owner didn’t want to persevere any longer with this one.  However, the 1/2 sister, Fast N Glorious, also went through New Vocations and has proven to be an exceptionally nice pleasure mount.  Due to the overload of horses, Christmas is currently available as one of the “transition yourself and get her free.  If you’re looking for a high quality horse and please consider helping us out with one of these.   Any competent rider can easily transition them.

Invisible Ink is an absolutely gorgeous, completely sound, three year old pacing filly.  She has a refined head, large kind eyes, and textbook conformation.  Ink trained at two and three, but wasn’t quite fast enough to race.  She is by I Am A Fool, a $1 million dollar winning son of Little Brown Jug winner, Life Sign.  I’ve had several Life Signs, and they all had real good dispositions and were easy to transition.  We are overflowing with horses and backed up on getting them broke and videoed.  Ink is available as one of the “transition your own and get them free” until she goes off to the trainer.

Most people when they see Miccho say Wow! He definately has that star factor. At only 3 years old, he already stands 16.2hh. Exceptionally well bred, sound and without injury, he raced just once. Gelded only in May, he has now been started back under saddle and he has been very relaxed and calm. He is a big young horse though and will need someone with prior experience at bringing on a young horse. Due to him being only recently gelded, he needs several months of private turnout before he can be introduced to small groups of older geldings. He also needs to be stalled at night, he does not like to be turned out for prolonged periods of time and so would not be suitable for anyone wanting a horse to live out on pasture 24/7.

Miccho is good to handle in all respects, good with the farrier, clippers, bathe, saddle etc. He has been evaluated by our vet and is with his disposition and movement, he would be most suitable either for dressage or jumpers.  He was retired from racing due a paralyzed flap in his throat.  He has been scoped and the vet report is on hand.  Thus far he has not made any noise while being worked.

This grandson of Mr. Prospect is a very well mannered and fun loving horse.  He is a happy horse who simply goes around and does whatever you ask.  Rocket only raced 2 times and was retired in January due to sustaining chips in his knees.  He had surgery in February on both and was given a good prognosis for flat work and some lower level jumping.  Now completely rehabbed Rocket is being schooled on the flat and is doing extremely well.  He would be a fun horse for someone wanting to do dressage or lower level jumpers, he also would be a nice pony club prospect.  He has a good mind, is very willing, and teachable.  He gets along well with his pasture mates, has good ground manners, stands for farrier, bathing, etc….

Rocket’s left eye has a old scar which covers most of the eye.  It has been examined and he does vision but it is limited.  It doesn’t bother him to be handled or ridden.  He doesn’t turn his head or act differently due to the eye.

Here is an update from one of our War Horses.  Read it and you’ll understand why we are so proud of the war horses and eager for people to give them a chance. Scallywag raced 300 times over nine years and earned $157,000.  He’s a diminutive 14.3h. This is Scally’s 3rd home.  For some strange reason his other two adopters didn’t see what a gem this fellow was. 

From Gary Napier in W.Virginia.  I wanted to give you an udpate on Scallywag. As you know my son 9 yr old son, Levi,  rode him all in 2009 and even took him to the Greenbrier River Trail and crossed the Greenbrier River. Scally really took care of him which boosted his confidence. In Nov 2009, I decided to move Levi to one of our Morgan mares and let my niece, Ashlee Smith, ride Scally. She had taken three falls and her confidence was badly ‘bruised’. I knew Scally would take care of while she regained her confidence and I was right. I walked beside them on the trail the first three times for her peace of mind. Below is a short story she wrote about her first successful trail ride. Since that time, we have ridden on multiple 2-3 hour rides over some very steep terrain. Together they have soared. And over Memorial Day weekend, her dream came true. We took the horses to the Greenbrier River Trail. We covered over 18 miles in 3 days.  

Scally continues to be the ‘perfect’ mount for beginners both children and adults. He is worth his weight in gold, and I’m so glad we made the decision to adopt him. Wishing you and your staff all the best in continuing your efforts to give these guys a ’second vocation.’

Ten year old Ashlee wrote, “My first successful trail ride was on November 13, 2009 on Thacker Ridge Trail. The owners only permit horses to ride on it. I rode a bay horse named Scally, which is a horse with black mane and tail. Uncle Gary walked all the way so he could lead me if I had trouble. He walked in 4 miles in 3 1/2 hours!  Scally Doodle, as we call him, or Scall is 14 but acts like he is 30 sometimes! I like him very much on trails and in the corral. I think I might go on the Greenbrier River Trail with him. I am getting my confidence back and having fun at the same time. I am also riding different techniques like Western and English.   I love that “Doodle Bug” or “Lazy Shorts”. I love Scallywag even though him name is a little silly!!!”

This is a beautiful dark bay war horse pacing gelding.  He is a very classy fellow with textbook conformation, a lovely head, and large intelligent eyes.  Art raced 198 times over seven years, competing from Canada throughout the upper Midwest to New York Cityand earning $115,000.  He has over 4,000 miles in harness and been bathed about 1,000 times with at least 3,000 hours in cross ties, and 75 trips to the blacksmith shop.  Add to that several thousand miles shipping throughout the North Eastern United States and Canada, and you have a very experienced horse that will make a dandy pleasure mount.  Until our trainer has time to take him, Art is being offered Free to someone that will transition their own.

This big, beautiful, black pacing mare is by the great Hanover stallion Big Towner who was notorious for his durable and slick gaited horses.  Imaging trained at two but did not race.  She raised several foals that raced, but not profitably.  She was initally placed as a nanny mare with a major farm where she raised a couple more foals, but the farm no longer needs her.  Imaging is clean legged and sound.  Stacy Thompson has been transitioning her into a pleasure mount.  He recently took her on a six hour ride. He said, “Imaging did great.  She has seen everything there is to see on the trail.  She stands to be mounted, negotiates the trails well, followed horses through rivers, and stood still while we stopped and talked.  Imaging needs a rider that is comfortable with  a spirited horse as she is still new to being ridden.  She has a smooth gait, and is learning to maintain it.”  This beautiful mare is placed without papers, but comes with a five generation pedigree.  She is sure to catch people’s attention whether on the trail or in the pasture raising babies. 

London Jack has seen and done it all.  He raced 40 times and retired in 1997 and has spent the last 12 yrs on the track as a pony horse.  Sound and with no known injuries, he rides both English and Western and does neck rein. This guy is solid and dependable and just looking at him and his condition, you’d be hard pressed to believe he’s 20 years old. He is one of the few horses that we would say is truely a family horse. He has no vices, is as kind as the day is long and just a very sweet, honest horse with still plenty of life in him. He has been turned out with a variety of other geldings including babysitting younger horses and has been great with everyone. He is good to handle in all respects, clippers, bathing, farrier etc and will go barefoot.

He has been trail ridden extensively and has always been very calm but not sluggish. He enjoys his rides and walks out freely, reins on the buckle. In the arena, he is quiet and easy to ride, gets his leads both ways, no pull.

Don’t be daunted by his years. Years mean experience and for someone wanting a nice trail horse which all members of the family can ride, London Jack fits the bill perfectly.

Blue Dahlia is a dark bay 2003 mare that stands about 15.3 hands. Dahlia raced 95 times making over $45,000 and decided she just didn’t want to race anymore.  She has retired sound.  She is super sweet to be around. Loves to be brushed and likes to have her head over the gate of her stall to see who she can con into getting some attention from.  She is perfect in the paddock, she has been turned out with mare and geldings.

When ridden Dahlia likes to pace until asked to go on then will break into a trot and sometimes back to a pace.  When ridden on the trails I think she will tend to want to pace but with time you can teach her to trot if that is what you like.  This mare is going to be a point where you want her to go and she will go kind of horse.  She isn’t spooky and very trusting.  She is a joy to ride.  She will make a great trail, pleasure or all around mount.

Blue Dahlia Video

This beautiful pacer raced 288 times over nine years, earning $233,585.  He has a thickened left front ankle and an old bow on the right, but he has been off the track a couple of years and is quite sound even for the most serious riding.   Chris is an elegant horse, with an exceptionally beautiful head and large intelligent eye.  He could win a halter class right now!  Chris has been on several trail rides, the latest a four day overnight Memorial day event.  He was ridden by several different people and performed wonderfully.  He is pictured on the picketline.   Chris is easy to catch and stands quietly to be groomed, tacked, and mounted.   He loads, ships, and ties well.  Chris was a very successful racehorse and has an excellent work ethic and a good self image.  He gets along well with our geldings, but has been known to be abusive to another gelding when a mare was in the field or across the fence.  We have not witnessed that, here.  Haylie rode and evaluated Chris and said he was one of the nicest standardbreds she’s had out of the 25 to date.   Someone is going to love this horse and be very proud to be seen on him.  He is quite special.

Dancer is a very pretty mare with a beautiful eye and feminine face.  She has nice conformation that would suit most sport horse breeders.  Dancer raced only 6 times and won a total of $96.  She left the track in 2008  because she wasn’t competitive.  Shes been turned out with very limited riding over the last year.  Dancer arrived to us in late April and has been started back under saddle.  She is a very sensitive mare to ride but is quickly adjusting to being back under saddle again.   Dancer is a nice stout mare who should be suitable for most disciplines including jumping.  Her legs are fairly clean with a slight osselet on the right front and some filing in the lower suspensory area, which isn’t sore or inflamed, most likely from an old strain while at the track (flex sound).  She has been sound for the last year, has good feet, and is ready for more schooling.  Dancer would also make a nice sport horse broodmare.

Wise is a happy go lucky guy.  He was unplaced in 4 starts (all as a 3 yr old).  Wise was definitely not cut out to be a race horse but a has shown great potential as a pleasure or show mount.  He has been turned out for the past year with limited schooling under saddle.  He arrived at New Vocations in mid May and is quickly getting settled into a work routine.  His best attribute is his long floating hunter trot.  Believe it or not he is barefoot and has great feet.  Wise needs to some weight and muscle but will be a lovely horse.  He has a willing disposition, is easy to handle and work around.   Wise is used to living out more than in a stall, however, he is now stalled for half of the day and seems to love being out of the heat and flies.

Wise does have a large scar above his right knee.  We have been told it was from field injury as a yearling.  It obviously didn’t bother him to make it through race training and to then race 4 times.  It is superficial and doesn’t bother him but should be noted.

Wise should be suitable for most disciplines including jumping.  We feel he would do well in the hunt arena with the proper training.  He could also be a nice pleasure horse as well.  He gets along well out with the other horses.  Is mid man on the pecking order.  He has no vices.

Standing 16h, and still growing, this beautiful 3 year old filly is now available for adoption. Willing, calm and sensible both on the ground and under tack, she has lovely long flowing paces and is very well balanced for such a young horse.

Christmas raced only 3 times and was retired over the winter because she was not competitive. She has had plenty of down time from the track and is now back in training. She enjoys group turn out with other mares and gets along well. Great to clip, shoe, bathe, catch etc, she is very well mannered and easy to deal with.

Christmas Trip has been fully evaluated by our vet within the last month including a scope and a breeding soundness evaluation.  She passed a flextion test on all four legs, however  x rays showed a very small chip in the left front fetlock and left knee.   Our vet deemed her suitable for all flat work including dressage and occasional lower level jumping. This is a really beautiful mare with a great temperament and mind and tons of potential.

M Letter Perfect “Emma” is just stunning.  This beautiful dappled out dark bay mare is a sweet and athletic.  She is unraced and has no apparent injuries.  Emma came to us originally as a 4 yr old and was adopted out.  Over the past 6 yrs she has been schooled in dressage, jumping and been trail ridden.  Unfortunately her adopter had to return her due to personal reasons.  Emma was not ridden all winter.  She arrived to us in mid May and has been started back under saddle.  She is not in shape but it is clear that she has a solid riding foundation.  The video below is of her second ride with us.  It would not take much for her to get back into good riding shape.  She would be best suited as a dressage mount and actually has the potential to be trained to an upper level.  She is currently a little heavy on the forehand right now but with time will develop the strength to carry herself balanced again.  Emma has a soft mouth, responds to leg, and voice commands.  She does best with a calm yet confident rider. She can be leery of new situations and greatly relies on her handler or rider to encourage her through them.

Emma could also be a nice sport horse broodmare.  She has a kind sweet nature. Beautiful head and eye with a long elegant neck.  She appears to be much taller than she measures.  Is stout and takes up a lot of leg.  She has no vices.

This stunning fellow is a real ham.  Everyone that walks by his stall stops to take another look at his cute face.  Jazz has a great disposition, likes attention and having a job.   Jazz started back under saddle in late April.   He is a fairly solid ride, not spooky, with three very fluid gaits.  Quick to pick up on all the flat basics, he has a soft mouth, starting to move off leg, and is actually a bit on the lazy side.  Jazz should be suitable for any type of flat work including dressage.  He is a nice well balanced gelding who has filled out to be a good size.

Jazz was started 10 times and ran his last race on October 17th, 2009.  Although he came in second he also fractured his sesamoid.  He was stalled for 90 days then slowly rehabbed over the winter.  He has been x-rayed and vetted sound for flat work.  He has been sound but we do not recommend jumping.

Gambler is a sensible guy who raced a 76 times and won over 60K.  He  ran is last race in May 2008.  Gambler retired due to sore osselets which he has raced on for years. He has been through a lot and needed to be retired years ago, but because he has a good heart he kept running for his different owners. Gambler has now had a year of  turn out and is feeling good.  Gambler has a kind disposition and would make a great trail riding horse.  He rides well in the arena and out around the farm.  He has no vices and is ready for someone to take him home.

Bones of steel is a classy 10 year old bay trotting gelding.  Bones retired from racing in 2006 after 77 starts and making over $80,000.  He retired sound and is ready to begin his career as a trail, or pleasure horse.  Bones holds his head high and proud when being ridden.  He has a wonderful smooth single foot rack, feels like he is gliding over the ground.  He is not spooky, has been broke to the dogs barking and baby strollers.  He is willing to do whatever asked when ridden and loves to be turned out.  He has been out with mares and geldings with no issues.  His has come a long way in the few rides we have done with him. Great potential to be an awesome all around horse! Bones of Steel Video 

Bones of Steel Video

Private Island is a big, beautiful pacing filly that raced only 12 times and was retired because she was not fast enough. ”Izzy” is sound and has no lameness issues.  Izzy has been ridden and rides like a pro!  She gaits very easily and is very smooth to ride.  This kind mare is super gentle even husband broke, is not spooky and is super willing to go anywhere you point her.  Izzy has a lovely heart shaped star on her head that is shown in her pictures.  She is also very flashy with her two white socks.  Izzy is ready to hit the trails and can also be driven as she has exceptional driving manners.

Izzy has been turned out with both mares and geldings and gets along well with everyone.  She is up to date on her coggins and vaccines.  Izzy is slightly pigion toed and this is shown in her leg photo.  It does not bother her at all when she paces and it did not bother her at the track either.  This mare will make a wonderful family horse!

Private Island Video

Diego is a beautiful 16.1hh chestnut gelding with plenty of chrome and with his wonderful fluid movement, he will set himself apart in the hunter ring. Good to clip, shoe, bathe etc, he enjoys turnout with other horses and is easy to catch. He has been jumping a variety of obstacles and shows potential and he has been trail ridden extensively. He is very well schooled but needs an experienced, confident rider.

Diego is very smart and needs firm, confident but quiet handling both under tack and on the ground. Treated with respect and a light hand when ridden, he excels and has tremendous talent and beautiful cadence at all paces. This horse has heaps of character and plenty of affection and with the right home (and let’s not forget plenty of treats!), the sky is the limit for this flashy gelding.

Wendlar is the type of horse that wants to be your best friend.  The big guy would sit in your lap if he could.  He loves attention, being groomed, and handled.  Wendlar arrived directly from the track on 5/3.  He has been started back under saddle and has proven to be a nice safe ride.  He has a good work ethic, wants to do everything right, and is very sensible.  Wendlar raced an amazing 105 times and won over 200k.   He retired with no apparent injuries other than the old osselets which he raced on for years.   Wendlar is wise horse who deserves a well pampered retirement.  He should be suitable for any type of flat work and could do some recreational jumping.  His only vice is that he will walk his stall periodically during the day.  In our barn he has a stall gate and a window so he doesn’t walk too much.  He is only on turn out for a couple hours, which will continue to be increased as he gets more adjusted to outside life.  More turn out will definitely help but right now he loves his stall more than the flies.