Beloved mechanical horse of Vidlers 5 & 10 gets saddle repaired after 56 years

After 56 years of use, Sandy the coin-operated mechanical horse is getting her saddle repaired. Sandy was purchased by Vidler's 5 & 10 in 1962.

Don Vidler says Sandy is out of commission through this weekend, while the team at Creekside Saddlery fixes her saddle and stirrups.

It's safe to say some of today's kids are sitting in the same saddle that their parents-- and maybe even grandparents-- sat in when they were young. Vidler estimates thousands of children have ridden the mechanical horse over the years.

This is the second time in two years that Vidler's has chosen to repair, rather than replace, a beloved store feature. Back in 2016, the store's popcorn machine broke down after 50 years of use. The store used a very new technology, Facebook, to find someone who could fix the old machine.