OTTB= Off the track Thoroughbred

I have been looking for a new horse for quite a while. I finally sold the super green mare I had and there was money burning a hole in my pocket. I went out and rode horses and none of them felt right. You could see it in their eyes that they were not right for us. Then one day it was suggested to me that I check out Track rescues. We live 3 miles from a major racetrack so I thought about it.
I started emailing this woman who runs a Retirement facility for thoroughbreds, only 25 miles away. She talked me into coming and checking out some of her horses that she felt would work for us.

The facility was located adjacent to a Correctional Facility and there were inmates there working with the horses. She does an equine management program with the inmates so that they can get certified and feel good about their futures once released. These guys each are assigned 1-3 horses a week and they are given tasks like, riding, lunging, desensitising the horses to plastic bags and loud noises etc.. It is a good program.. When I got there to look at this one mare that she felt was a good match for us, the mare was just picked out by someone else. bad timing. She asked if i would be into having a gelding; not knowing I was really more interested in geldings. I said YES! She told her crew to go get a bunch of horses, she rattled off names.. They all ran off with lead ropes. Moments later about 6 guys were back and 3 or 4 of them rode in bareback with a lead rope and halter. Wow. I was amazed- these horses came from racing histories and could be ridden like this. I told her I would look at the ones who were ridden in. Conquistador struck me with a look. He has such a kindness in his eyes. I knew then, without any question, that he had to come home with me. After his vet check 2 weeks later, he was transported home.

Now, 2 weeks later, he is here and it has been raining non stop! I want to do my first ride with him in the round pen. I can't because there is mud knee deep in there. Waiting for it to dry up. I hope he does not lose any of his (re)training.

In the mean time, I have been reading up on OTTBs and have become somewhat afraid to ride him. I am learning about others who have had terrible experiences with horses taking off on them.

I wish it would just dry up so that I can just go ride and get this initial fear out of me.