In the splashscreen activate I put a small loop....

Sleep(200) && 20 ms
thisform.image2.Picture ='C:\VFPAPPS\AARRGH1.ICO'
thisform.Refresh
thisform.image2.Picture ='C:\VFPAPPS\AARRGH2.ICO'
thisform.Refresh
thisform.image2.Picture ='C:\VFPAPPS\AARRGH3.ICO'
thisform.Refresh
thisform.image2.Picture ='C:\VFPAPPS\\AARRGH4.ICO'
thisform.Refresh
thisform.image2.Picture ='C:\VFPAPPS\AARRGH.ICO'
thisform.Refresh
thisform.image2.Picture ='C:\VFPAPPS\AARRGH1.ICO'
thisform.Refresh
thisform.image2.Picture ='C:\VFPAPPS\AARRGH2.ICO'
thisform.Refresh
thisform.image2.Picture ='C:\VFPAPPS\AARRGH3.ICO'
thisform.Refresh
thisform.image2.Picture ='C:\VFPAPPS\AARRGH4.ICO'
thisform.Refresh
*Sleep(1500) && 150 ms
Sleep(300) && 30 ms
thisform.Release

then you play with the sleep time till you get the results you want.
Not only does this give you a splash time, but a movable or changing picture on the splash screen.

HTH