I adopted a horse from the New Vocations KY facility last December without even seeing him in person. I know that’s not for everyone, but it has worked out great so far!
They are not making money off of their horses and they really do not want you to send them back, so they have absolutely no reason to misrepresent them. If they have vetting information available they provide it and will give you very detailed information about how a horse behaves under saddle. I would definitely use NV again!
Oh, I have no doubt (after all the positive feedback here and in general) that NV is an honest organization!! I know they want to place horses in good partnerships. I’d personally feel weird hauling home a horse I hadn’t ridden. When I’ve bought horses in the past, that “bond under saddle” moment is SO important!! I’m an upper level rider, but I still want to make sure the gaits are what I want and that the trust connection is made. I know many people have bought VERY expensive horses via video or their trainer’s recommendation having never ridden them. Not sure if that is a step in the process that I can sacrifice. Do we know why they won’t let you ride their horses? Liability? All the other OTTB rehoming orgs seem to be OK with it…
I know someone who went thru MMSC last year and could not be happier with the horse she got.
I got my OTTB through CANTER, but it was quite a few years ago, when they were more of a listing service and not a adoption process. I just re-read their adoption/sale contract and among other things it appears that you are giving them approval to enter any barn and seize the horse without any notification, unfettered access to your vet records, and you give them the right of first refusal at your original purchase price if you ever need/wish to sell.
[QUOTE=rothmpp;8144802]
I know someone who went thru MMSC last year and could not be happier with the horse she got.
I got my OTTB through CANTER, but it was quite a few years ago, when they were more of a listing service and not a adoption process. I just re-read their adoption/sale contract and among other things it appears that you are giving them approval to enter any barn and seize the horse without any notification, unfettered access to your vet records, and you give them the right of first refusal at your original purchase price if you ever need/wish to sell.[/QUOTE]
I believe that is only true of CANTER owned horses. If they come straight from the trainer listings, those policies may not hold true as CANTER is not acting as an agent for the horse. Great to know about their policies, though, and a terrific reminder to read the fine print. Just like with dog rescues you want to know what you are signing when presented with a contract and/or bill of sale.
Majestic Farm in Batavia, Ohio (southern ohio) has a small program to rehome TB’s. It’s a dressage barn so the horses get a nice start on the flat. No contracts.
http://www.majesticfarm.net/sales.html
I have personal experience with four of the re-sellers/adoption programs in KY and TN. Please feel free to PM me.
Emphasize Lizrd’s point - read the fine print. You’re buying a horse, not adopting a baby. Several of these organizations have very onerous agreements that we will not agree to.
[QUOTE=Lizrd;8144938]
I believe that is only true of CANTER owned horses. If they come straight from the trainer listings, those policies may not hold true as CANTER is not acting as an agent for the horse. Great to know about their policies, though, and a terrific reminder to read the fine print. Just like with dog rescues you want to know what you are signing when presented with a contract and/or bill of sale.[/QUOTE]
Yes, this only applies to the CANTER owned “adoption” horses. The horses listed through trainers are still regular sales unless the seller specifically adds additional terms on their own.
CANTER-owned horses for ADOPTION do have a contract. IIRC, it is a Right-Of-First-Refusal clause, and there is some language in the contract about being able to take the horse if there is reasonable proof that the horse is neglected. It honestly is not something that should make anyone bat an eye if they are looking to provide a horse with good care and a permanent home.
We have one (Rudy S, 2007(?) CANTER-alumni). It has not been a problem. They came and did a little radio show about him too. We love CANTER-NE and Ellen especially!
[QUOTE=Lusoluv;8144774]
Oh, I have no doubt (after all the positive feedback here and in general) that NV is an honest organization!! I know they want to place horses in good partnerships. I’d personally feel weird hauling home a horse I hadn’t ridden. When I’ve bought horses in the past, that “bond under saddle” moment is SO important!! I’m an upper level rider, but I still want to make sure the gaits are what I want and that the trust connection is made. I know many people have bought VERY expensive horses via video or their trainer’s recommendation having never ridden them. Not sure if that is a step in the process that I can sacrifice. Do we know why they won’t let you ride their horses? Liability? All the other OTTB rehoming orgs seem to be OK with it…[/QUOTE]
To tell you the truth I didn’t even ask the reason for the no riding policy, lol. I figured if I was buying straight from the track I probably wouldn’t be able to sit on the horse anyway. Plus, I am not super talented at riding different horses and always have a learning curve, so I wasn’t looking for an immediate bond. However, I completely understand where you’re coming from.
There are tons of OTTB’s in Louisiana, but like you, I wanted something that had a few rides after the track so that I would have an idea of the type of horse I was buying. I told NV I wanted a forward horse with 3’6"+ potential for the jumpers, the one caveat was that the horse could not be short strided. I would have been happy with a 15.2 mare if she had the athleticism, but I ended up with a 16.2, 3 year old gelding… who is now 17.1 behind. :eek: Given his growth spurts, and also due to crappy weather so far this year, we are taking it pretty slow but I am thrilled with him.
Good luck in your search!
Stephanie Calendrillo runs the Georgetown, KY branch of CANTER. She always has the nicest horses and she is a very trustworthy seller/person. Great rider, too!
Three Plain Bays in Maryland. She has beautiful, quality horses.
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