His Body was Close to Death, but his Spirit was Strong by Anna Ford  

On the morning of August 13, 2005 an emaciated seven-year-old Thoroughbred, Laddies Prospect, walked off the trailer at New Vocations. Each vertebra in his back and every rib was protruding through the tight, leathery skin. His hair had fallen out leaving large bald areas, aggravated by insect bites, and battle wounds. Lad was so near to death that Hagyard-Davidson-McGee had to stabilize him with fluids for a couple of days, before he could make the four hour trip from Lexington .

Lad, and several dozen other Thoroughbreds, were literally dying on a farm within eight miles of the Kentucky Horse Park . An absentee owner may or may not be penalized. But there's no doubt that nearly 40 horses suffered grave neglect. The equine community stepped up with emergency feed and care. Several horses lay dead in the field. Others were beyond saving and had to be euthanized. New Vocations offered to take the worst case that still had a chance to survive.

Lad's eyes were bright and kind. He held no malice. He wanted to live. We'd give him that chance. However, we didn't know, until he walked off the trailer, that Lad was a stud! New Vocations doesn't take studs. But that matter would have to wait.

A 14' x 16' stall was lushly bedded to cushion his bony body, and with great satisfaction, Lad was introduced to an abundant supply of food. Fortified with the new digestive aid, SUCCEED, Lad enjoyed maximum feed consumption with absolutely no side effects. Within three days, a light sheen was discernible on the sparse patches of his coat. Gradually, his skin became more hydrated and resilient. He started to gain weight and grow new hair. Hand walking progressed to daily turnout.

Lad gained close to 250 lbs in two months and was recently gelded. He never raced. His past is unknown, so his history begins here. Lad has been exercised under tack and accepts a rider. He's a beautiful mover with wonderful potential for show or pleasure. Best of all, Lad has an inner beauty that radiates peace and kindness from a grateful heart.

                                                      Laddie's Prospect healthy after care from New Vocations

Lad should be adopted soon. It will be an emotional farewell as he's turned over to the care of a loving family. Lad has survived the worst. Now, showered with kindness and patient schooling, Lad is blooming into the grand horse he was destined to be. This is the mission of New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. We are here to provide a safety-net for the horses nobody wants. We assist in their transition to a life beyond racing and place them in carefully screened and monitored homes where, “once again, each can be a star.”