The Conquistador Equine Rescue & Advocacy Program (CERAP)

D.O.R. Velocipedo, the Gorgeous Little Engine that Could

Peruvian Paso D.O.R. Velocipedo (Pretty Boy):

The same people who had abused Conquistador purchased beautiful and exotic, D.O.R. Velocipedo (aka Pretty Boy). They just had to have Velocipedo for his beauty and gait, his bloodlines and his extraordinary color, literally a palomino with a black overlay coat. In the sun, Velocipedo gleams like black gold and he had been demonstrated to have the palomino marker.

Velocipedo did well for the people who bought him from an excellent barn in California. He took championships in Colorado and in Arizona and sired champion mares. But then the people were done with him. They put Velocipedo in a small pen held together with baling twine and for years never let him out, just throwing him alfalfa.

Understandably, Velocipedo got very nervous and frightened and became difficult to catch and put on a lead, so when they wanted to breed him and they were able to catch him, the people punished Pretty Boy by biting his ears and putting their fingers up his nose so he could not breathe. When we rescued Velocipedo he was so frightened of the world he could be dangerous, sometimes rearing up and lashing out with his front legs to get away.

The Conquistador Program's wonderful board member, Wendy Hart, who had worked with horses her entire life and in a therapeutic horsemanship program, patiently worked with Velocipedo and taught Dr. Haight how to work with the frightened stallion. Our friend, master trainer (chalan) Juan Garayar, came to Arizona and worked Velocipedo and told Dr. Haight that the beautiful stallion had terrible things happen to him but with about a year of patience, love, care and consistency, Velocipedo would be fine.

We did what Wendy and Juan taught us to do. Almost a year to the day that Juan evaluated Pretty Boy, he came around. Today Velocipedo is a beautiful and gentle stallion who has a very strong bond with our 16-year-old volunteer, Jessica. Jessica also is a girl scout working on the highest merit award a girl scout can get. Velocipedo and Jessica are an incredible team and they give exhibits of horsemanship to other volunteers and guests who come to the barn.

Most of all, it was Velocipedo who courageously trusted us and who, now, is giving back so much.


D.O.R. Velocipedo (Pretty Boy) in Peruvian Tack