Best for guests who want to see first hand how versatile the Thoroughbred is while learning more about retraining and rehoming these incredible athletes.
WHAT YOU’LL SEE Thoroughbreds in retraining, you may get hands-on too!
BEST FOR All Ages + Kid-Friendly, curious, casual and committed fans welcome
ON THE TOUR You will be walking & standing throughout the tour
Come visit New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and discover how we rehabilitate, retrain and rehome racehorses after they retire from the track!
You will learn how former racehorses, many of which were born on famous Kentucky farms, begin their second careers. Learn about the founding and 30 year history of our nonprofit program, and our relationship with the iconic Mereworth Farm and the Susan S. Donaldson Foundation. Experiences may include greeting retired racehorses in the barns and pastures, discovering the adoption process, meeting our permanent equine resident, Ranger, and his important duties, and the many different jobs these retired athletes go on to do.
For those interested in adopting a horse from the program please visit our website to learn more about the adoption process. This tour is geared toward learning the history and mission of New Vocations rather than an adoption meet and greet.
This tour is suitable for all ages and photos are encouraged. We are an active working horse farm, so closed toed shoes are advised. Please note, all walkways are gravel and may not be wheelchair friendly so access may be limited.
ABOUT SECOND STRIDE
New Vocations is the nation’s premiere racehorse rehoming organization; founded in 1992, the program has grown from one location to nine and has served over 8,000 retired racehorses to date. New Vocations’ Lexington facility is its flagship location, situated on over 150 acres of the historic Mereworth Farm. Our mission is to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retiring Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses.
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program has a long history of offering retiring racehorses a new purpose when their days on the track come to an end. Since 1992, we’ve focused on offering safe haven through rehabilitation, retraining and ultimately rehoming to qualified and loving adopters. Some of the horses we serve are sound and healthy but just too slow to be competitive on the track. Many have sustained injuries that need time to heal, while others just need some R&R from the occupational hazards that come with being a racehorse and to get reacquainted with just being a horse again. But they all face a common reality: Without training beyond what they’ve learned for racing, a good future isn’t guaranteed. That’s where we—and you—come in! Since we started in 1992, we’ve placed more than 8,000 retired Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses from more than 40 different racetracks with experienced, educated and appropriate adopters like you throughout the country.
Looking to visit New Vocations at a different time? Book a private tour of New Vocations here!
Learn more about New Vocations on their website and through their social media pages: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Please let us know of any request for accommodation or assistance. We are available at 859-963-1004 and [email protected].
Looking for another experience at New Vocations? Check out their other tours linked below, or build out the rest of your itinerary with recommendations from New Vocations and the Horse Country team.
Interested in learning more about New Vocations and their experiences?
Build out your itinerary with recommendations from Horse Country.
719 Dolan Lane, Lexington, KY
Here’s a few more resources to help you make the most of your time in Horse Country.
