Hey Dabs-- Regarding your recommendations for letting the horse go at his
speed until he figures it all out, I had a bad experience with that. I was
training my trusty mount "Scout" (the mechanical horse down at Safeway) and
though the machine called for dimes only, in my ignorance I began using
quarters instead. Things went well for a while, but then he began to smoke and
sputter, finally blowing a piston on the right rear. My Tevis plans are
completely trashed because of my mistake. I mean this horse was like a
machine. I camped all night with him in the parking lot, oiling the
leg, hoping for a miracle. No luck. The store manager said it didn't look
good, so they unplugged him. (sniff!) I must have been a sorry sight shuffling
home wearing my cap guns and dragging my stick horse behind me. Dayna met me
at the door with a fudgsicle, and I broke down. How am I gonna get this stick
horse ready for Tevis in time? He's really going to need to put some weight on
first. (I always prepare a back-up horse) I learned my lesson. Speed kills.
From now on, dimes only. Bruce
