She was a professional broodmare for years - the lady who owned her was putting her to QH stallions and getting Appendix halter champions out of her - one national champ. She came up empty two breedings in a row and was sold to my trainer as she stood - unbroken at age 14 - basically for the price of a month's feed.
I had not started a horse since I was a teenager, and I was a little worried, but she accepted a saddle and bridle without a SINGLE complaint and has never looked back. The first year was very tough because she had not the first idea about what we were doing - she would turn her head to the opening rein and keep right on going straight! - but now she's competing on Tadpole level in combined training and placing very solidly. I also occasionally take her to hunter shows (just because I did that for 20 years so we can walk on and do it) and her last show she was Champion in the 2'6" Division and Reserve in Handy Hunter. (I don't like to show her much higher because of the age of her legs, even though she never raced so they're in pretty good shape. I also find that the older I get the less I like the big fences.)
Amen on the "horse bug". I have had it since I was 3. Even my kids think my adoration of the equines is a bit excessive . . . of course I'm also nuts about my Labrador and my three Siamese cats . . . although I draw the line at birds and fish.