The trip home went smoothly. The horses traveled well. Whenever we stopped for gas, people would approach the trailer to see the horses. We enjoyed telling them about wild mustangs and seeing their awed expressions, especially from the kids. When we got to Karen’s the boys unloaded themselves and seemed to be calm in their new environment. So calm that Karen and I had them eating out of our hand within ten minutes of unloading them! 

I had finally calmed down enough to take a good, objective look at my EMM horse. Oh! He’s SO beautiful!!! He had a nice head, broad between the eyes, small ears and a slightly dished face. His neck was well muscled and met his shoulder at a good point; nice sloping shoulders, deep through the chest, medium length top line and a longer bottom line, nice slope from his croup to the head of his tail and stout cannon bones. Nicely shaped with strong hooves completed the picture. My boy was perfect as far as I was concerned! He had a floating trot to die for. I couldn't wait to feel him move beneath me.

In less than three weeks, this mustang worked his way into my heart. I already get teary-eyed when asked about the adoption after the competition in September. With bad weather playing a large role in our training schedule, Bob has still surpassed my every expectation. It took the whole first week to be able to walk up to him and touch him in his pen. Prior to this I could only touch his face through the panel rails.
 
Two days after that first real touch, Bob was standing to be groomed and wearing a surcingle. A reporter and photographer from the Sedalia Democrat came to the farm to interview Bob and I. Bob was very skittish and played the wild mustang role to the hilt for them. With strangers present, Bob looked to me for comfort and security. The photographer, Hal Smith, got a wonderful picture of Bob nuzzling my neck

Snuggles, Mom?

which has become his habit when he’s nervous.
 
Just a few days later, Bob’s accomplishments included leading with or without a lead rope, backing up, standing loose for grooming and fly spray, wearing a saddle, and coming when called. Having a weakness for the mints from Russell Stover was a huge help! Bob has a sweet tooth! All I have to do is rattle the wrapper. It makes a crackling sound and Bob zeroes in on me.

Howdoyoulikemenow. I'm beautiful!

I didn’t expect to be this far along with his training already. I hoped I might be able to get on Bob in August and get thirty days of riding under us before going to Texas. Things were really looking up. Goals changed daily and Bob surprised me each and every day.

Everything progresses in threes it seems; show him something three times and he’s got it. I hope this three-fold thing doesn’t extend to escapes. Bob’s been out twice already, toured the farm, got acquainted with the other horses and goes back into his pen on his own. He’s been known as Bad Bob, Boisterous Bob, Beautiful Bob, Bodacious Bob and last but not least, the paper titled the article on him "Bob Bob Bobbin' Along."