As a horse-crazy kid, you probably discovered the colorful yet quirky story of the real life Pony Express, formed in the spring of 1860 to transport mail by horseback from St. Joseph, Mo. to Sacramento, Calif. Although it only lasted until October of 1861 and never turned a profit for its investors, horse lovers and history buffs are understandably captivated by the tales associated with swift horses, intrepid riders and the rough and ready waystations along the route.