The man and his wife had three horses, an appaloosa mare and two old geldings. They were trying to sell them so that they would be free to do some traveling, especially to CA where the man's elderly mother lived. Well, I took their home number and called the wife to find out about the mare. It turned out the mare's breeding includes Impressive and I want nothing to do with Impressive bred horses - HYPP you know. I told Bob and he called the man back that evening and told him thanks for thinking of us but we would pass due to the mares breeding.
On Friday, my son went into where the guy works and saw the flyer on the mare. He talked to my daughter-in-law and found out that we had passed due to the breeding. He thought about it all night, called us at the crack of dawn Saturday and told Bob, you have to go see this mare at least - and preceeded to describe her to Bob. Bob called the man, said I'm coming out with the trailer, I'm buying the mare (as I'm sitting across the table from him with my mouth wide open). Then he says, church is still out on the two geldings (I said we don't need two old geldings, 24 and 25 for heaven's sake) and we'll be out in an hour.
My son and daughter-in-law met us and followed us out. I have to add here, my son has always wanted a palomino and has promised my daughter-in-law that he'll start riding again when he gets one. I thought he said that because he really doesn't want to ride any longer and knew she couldn't afford a palomino.
Anyway, we get there, Bob falls in love with the mare, my son sees the palomino and again, it's love at first sight. Well, **ll, can't leave the other guy there by himself, they've all been together for 12years. As I'm inside talking to the wife and getting all the paperwork, I find out she's 1) a minister and 2) has been praying for a miracle - she wanted all her babies to go together to a good home where they would stay. Anyway, I wrote her a check, asked her to give me a day to cover it, we took the horses home (It took two trailers the guys are all so big) and they followed us out to see them settled. Really, all I need now is a miracle to pay for them and buy feed :)
Heh.... sounds like a situation very much out of your control ;~D but I've got a soft spot for a story with a happy ending. I won't even ask what you intend to do next, but I hope the two older gentlemen find a niche where they're welcome to live out their days. Can't the mare be tested for HYPP? Is being negative insurance that she won't pass on any HYPP genes? Or does it only apply to her coming down with it herself?
Duchess, you're a Saint! But they're really nice looking horses. God works in mysterious ways!