fivehorses, was this your experience when calling as well as emailing? I have found them non-responsive to email inquiries. This is lousy practice, to be sure, but I often wondered if I would have gotten a response had I called.
The first trainer, I called 3 times. The 2nd trainer, sent 3 emails and a phone call over a 2 week period.
I contacted the executive director via email hoping for assistance and based on that have decided the organization is not one I want to pursue.
[QUOTE=lmlacross;8543974]
fivehorses, was this your experience when calling as well as emailing? I have found them non-responsive to email inquiries. This is lousy practice, to be sure, but I often wondered if I would have gotten a response had I called.[/QUOTE]
The first trainer, I called 3 times and left voice messages. The 2nd trainer, sent 3 emails and left a phone message over a 2 week period.
In my email with the executive director she stated the trainer received over 100 emails a day as well as training and shoeing the horses . How on earth is someone going to respond to 100 emails a day or even phone calls?
I think it’s like winning the lottery if you actually make contact.
I paid as everyone does to be approved but if you can’t get a response, you can’t adopt. They don’t tell you that.
They turned down my adoption application because neither one of my cutting trainers returned their phone calls within 24 hours So be advised = they do check references, so make sure you put down RELIABLE people who will answer their phones. :mad:
Within 24 hours? Some very reliable people don’t have desk jobs and can’t return calls immediately. That’s a little unreasonable.
They depend on volunteers and do, indeed, get 100 phone/e mail inquiries at times plus they do some networking with area trainers. Now, its frustrating, but for the amount of work they put into selecting, cleaning up and restarting these horses? Its a real bargain hence their popularity.
Kind of a double edged sword. Be patient. If you are already approved, possible they know a horse you call about actually is not going to suit you or is spoken for already and wont get back, least right away.
Not every deal is going to be perfect either, but they have options if it does not work out.
I do recall when I was approved and looking to adopt from them I expressed my frustration at how I would inquire about a horse within hours of it being listed online only to be told that the horse was already adopted. They said the reasoning was many people apply, and sometimes they already have trainers/adopters in mind when they get a horse and they give them the inside scoop before showing the horse to the public. They told me to be patient and a horse that was meant to be mine would eventually happen.
I ended up adopting two from New Vocations. I don’t think the two I adopted had much interest.
I know they’re busy-- but expecting a 24 hour turnaround from trainers who you know don’t ride a desk all day. That’s unreasonable.
[QUOTE=vxf111;8546425]
I know they’re busy-- but expecting a 24 hour turnaround from trainers who you know don’t ride a desk all day. That’s unreasonable.[/QUOTE]
That is a fair observation.
I’m surprised - I haven’t adopted any from NV yet but have contacted about a few because a mutual connection of mine helps run one of the chapters and will send me links when she thinks I’d be interested… and they’ve always been prompt with my inquiries. I am an approved adopter after I was interested in one but after PPE didn’t pursue. I think it depends on the horse – for instance… grey 4 Y.O gelding? They will get over 100s of emails in the first hour of posting… lots of tire kickers. Solid 6 y/o bay? Not a single inquiry. It may just be they are still sorting through the emails.
Maybe instead, if you know you are looking, fill out a form ahead of time for approval… Once you’re approved, you’re approved – they haven’t asked me to resubmit anything and it’s been over five years since the PPE on the NV horse I was interested in.
Both my sister and I have adopted from them. I actually did return the first horse that I adopted once some issues became apparent back at the farm I boarded him at. It was a bit difficult as I was told that I could either exchange him for something already at the farm, or I would need to wait a couple of months for a stall to open up for horse #1’s return. I ended up exchanging him for a horse that I remembered liking from my first visit, but who was still in the rehab program. He was just released back to work, so I exchanged horse #1 for him. I’ve had that horse now for almost 2 years and adore him, for all of his quirks. I was approved in less than 24 hours, as my barn owner had worked with them on the standardbred side of it, so someone from within the organization had actually been to the boarding facility, knew the BO/BM, and I had previously owned 3 OTTBs and could prove that I was very familiar with them.
My sister had a little bit of trouble getting through the approval process, as there was some concern that she wasn’t ready for a young OTTB, as she current horse was 25 years old and the process just kind of stalled. She ended up making a phone call and cleared up some misunderstandings, such as she had owned the horse from the time he was 2 years old and did all the work herself. She needed a replacement since she finally had to retire her 25 year old. Once that was cleared up, she adopted a couple of weeks later and absolutely loves her youngster.
A couple of words of advice. Make sure you put as much detail into your responses on the adoption application as you can. That really helps them to understand how knowledgeable you may be.
Also, I think there is definitely a difference between the different NV farms. I dealt with the PA farm, but after having gone with my sister to the Marysville facility, that is the one I would try to deal with if at all possible. The PA facility seemed like the NV horses were maybe not the first priority, competing their own horses was, while the Marysville facility came across as the NV horses were the first priority and they were very easy to contact, set up an appointment, and when we were there, showing the horse my sister was interested in was their sole focus.
I adopted one of their Standardbreds. I went looking for a younger mare and they talked me into a slightly older gelding. He is the best match for me and what I wanted in a driving/trail horse. I absolutely love this horse!
[QUOTE=ex-racer owner;8546640]
Both my sister and I have adopted from them. I actually did return the first horse that I adopted once some issues became apparent back at the farm I boarded him at. It was a bit difficult as I was told that I could either exchange him for something already at the farm, or I would need to wait a couple of months for a stall to open up for horse #1’s return. I ended up exchanging him for a horse that I remembered liking from my first visit, but who was still in the rehab program. He was just released back to work, so I exchanged horse #1 for him. I’ve had that horse now for almost 2 years and adore him, for all of his quirks. I was approved in less than 24 hours, as my barn owner had worked with them on the standardbred side of it, so someone from within the organization had actually been to the boarding facility, knew the BO/BM, and I had previously owned 3 OTTBs and could prove that I was very familiar with them.
My sister had a little bit of trouble getting through the approval process, as there was some concern that she wasn’t ready for a young OTTB, as she current horse was 25 years old and the process just kind of stalled. She ended up making a phone call and cleared up some misunderstandings, such as she had owned the horse from the time he was 2 years old and did all the work herself. She needed a replacement since she finally had to retire her 25 year old. Once that was cleared up, she adopted a couple of weeks later and absolutely loves her youngster.
A couple of words of advice. Make sure you put as much detail into your responses on the adoption application as you can. That really helps them to understand how knowledgeable you may be.
Also, I think there is definitely a difference between the different NV farms. I dealt with the PA farm, but after having gone with my sister to the Marysville facility, that is the one I would try to deal with if at all possible. The PA facility seemed like the NV horses were maybe not the first priority, competing their own horses was, while the Marysville facility came across as the NV horses were the first priority and they were very easy to contact, set up an appointment, and when we were there, showing the horse my sister was interested in was their sole focus.[/QUOTE]
I second the suggestion to only deal with Marysville, OH location. I got a horse from the N Ohio location who was totally misrepresented. They were willing to take the horse back and I told them I wouldn’t send the horse back to the location she came from. She was so body sore I couldn’t ride her the first month. Apparently at that location there are a lot of Pony Club kids who work the horses and I don’t know how much supervision or direction they get. I think they just rode the crap out of her.
Tried dealing with the KY trainer, nice girl but I think she also purposefully misrepresents the horses after going down 3 separate times to look based on things she told me on phone calls. She also wasn’t very forthcoming with lameness details. Overall, she knows what gets horses sold and sticks to that. I wouldn’t recommend that location.
However Amy at Marysville is upfront, staightforward, and true to her word. Vetted 2 horses with her and ended up bringing one home. She was very open about any of the horses limitations and difficult personalities. She took a lot of time with me and unlike the other locations I felt totally comfortable with every single thing that transpired.
I know this thread is a bit old, but very interesting to read Halfpasser1’s comments on the KY location. NV no longer allows refunds, only returns for credit. My friend adopted a OTTB from KY, and trainer was very snippy when she asked about the return policy. Anyway, friend had horse vetted at Rood & Riddle, flexed clean. In training, horse seemed sore and they thought farrier would help, but got worse. She x-rayed and found ringbone. Horse could be managed and be okay for some disciplines, but not what my friend wanted. She was within 60 days, so notified NV of discovery. KY trainer was AWFUL! Horse has blossomed with friend, just not fair to ask him to do job she wanted. She had to wait, but finally took him back. She loved his personality, so kept an eye for his new listing. AND… ABSOLUTELY nothing about the ringbone!!! My friend has the x-rays, and contacted the main office, so hopefully the higher level management will force KY trainer to fix the ad, but I will never deal with KY location unless they replace the trainer. Very sad to see a “rescue” run that way. I also have a STB from them, and loved the trainer there. But clearly standards aren’t being enforced from the executive levels!
[QUOTE=LilyandBaron;8719497]
I know this thread is a bit old, but very interesting to read Halfpasser1’s comments on the KY location. NV no longer allows refunds, only returns for credit. My friend adopted a OTTB from KY, and trainer was very snippy when she asked about the return policy. Anyway, friend had horse vetted at Rood & Riddle, flexed clean. In training, horse seemed sore and they thought farrier would help, but got worse. She x-rayed and found ringbone. Horse could be managed and be okay for some disciplines, but not what my friend wanted. She was within 60 days, so notified NV of discovery. KY trainer was AWFUL! Horse has blossomed with friend, just not fair to ask him to do job she wanted. She had to wait, but finally took him back. She loved his personality, so kept an eye for his new listing. AND… ABSOLUTELY nothing about the ringbone!!! My friend has the x-rays, and contacted the main office, so hopefully the higher level management will force KY trainer to fix the ad, but I will never deal with KY location unless they replace the trainer. Very sad to see a “rescue” run that way. I also have a STB from them, and loved the trainer there. But clearly standards aren’t being enforced from the executive levels![/QUOTE]
The spreading of misinformation or incomplete information is in no way helpful to the welfare of this horse. Stone was always sound in our care. Upon notification of his adopters wish to return we followed our protocol and brought him back in to the program. We do have the xrays his adopter sent and have shared them with 3 vets, 2 of which are surgeons. The veterinarians advised us based upon the images that we were provided, this horse does not need to be limited in a future career. We have done our due diligence to the best of our abilities. I do agree that the “no apparent injuries” was a missed edit from re-using his old ad but our vets do believe he is suitable for jumping careers. We will absolutely share his xrays with every interested, approved adopter as we always do. At that time they may have them viewed by their vet and may also have PPE done as well. There is no reason for New Vocations to misrepresent horses as we have a return policy and ultimately want the horse to stay in it’s new home.
For this case their seems to be a difference in vet opinions which is not unusual. All we can do is provide the information we have to any potential adopters and let them and their vets decide.
IMHO, assuming the horse was reported lame and returned with x-rays that at least one vet found unacceptable for some uses, the ad should have been adjusted between the initial listing and relisting.
As an adopter/buyer, I would want to know if a horse had been returned. The ad should have been updated to be accurate when the horse was relisted. The horse had had more training and had had a lameness episode. It’s fine for the next person to make their own judgment using the xrays-- but throwing up the same listing with no adjustment-- knowing the circumstances under which the horse had been returned-- wasn’t 100% HONESTLY representing the horse.
[QUOTE=vxf111;8726031]
IMHO, assuming the horse was reported lame and returned with x-rays that at least one vet found unacceptable for some uses, the ad should have been adjusted between the initial listing and relisting.
As an adopter/buyer, I would want to know if a horse had been returned. The ad should have been updated to be accurate when the horse was relisted. The horse had had more training and had had a lameness episode. It’s fine for the next person to make their own judgment using the xrays-- but throwing up the same listing with no adjustment-- knowing the circumstances under which the horse had been returned-- wasn’t 100% HONESTLY representing the horse.[/QUOTE]
All information we have is shared with interested, approved adopters.
We have done our due diligence and had multiple veterinarians review the films. There is always more to the story. If you are an interested, approved adopter I am happy to share with you the entirety of his story. He is being represented accurately based upon the guidance of our vets.
I don’t see anything in the listing that indicates he was adopted and returned because he had an episode of lameness. I would, as a potential buyer/adopter, want to know that. It might not make/break my decision but I’d want to know.
I just noticed there’s another thread
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?494633-Done-with-New-Vocations!!!-Misrepresenting-horses-with-ringbone!!!
