Saddlebredlover,has this person who should be "estatic" ( I know I would be if I were them!) over their stolen horse showing up even been to your place yet to LOOK at their "stolen" horse?

I would have been in the car and driven all night if necessary to see my horse had someone stolen it and I managed to track it down.Like Rose I find it just too odd and "coincidental" that: the owner hasn't tried to see their horse,or at least asked you to send photos,ect  and #2: no law official has even been in contact with you regarding this.I don't think it was a stolen horse,either.I think someone is in the process of DOING some stealing,however,--- YOUR $$$.

You'd better hold onto your pocketbook and start playing hardball,baby,and quit trying so hard to be "nice" on this one.You've been nice enough,I'd say.

BTW there is an interesting article about buying/selling/trading horses on a friend's website.Go to http://www.missourifoxtrottersatoz.com/ and click on "pitfalls" on the right side of the page to read about her experience and what it involved to get her horses back.

This is not some fly by night backyard inexperienced breeder.She has been breeding and raising some of the finest horses for years,so,she too was being "nice" and allowing the benefit of doubt on the front end of her deal.The story has excellent advice to follow in any sale or trade involving a horse.

No,gard,"we" haven't done anything.I know this will probably get SCADS of scoffing,but,I think it is a sign of the times.

Maybe it is just me, but I find the OP is contradicting themselves.  First the owner wants the horse back, police involved, arrests to be made yada yada. 

Then we see the person wants to sell the papers at an exhorbitant price and that the horse was listed on a national stolen horse website....hmmmm

Ok..just in case the OP wants to say otherwise, I took the liberty of copying and pasting word for word what was said.  This is taken from the original post

"...Of course, I'm in love with this horse, but now this person wants her horse back.  Police reports have been filed, people are going to jail and I'm now caught in the cross fire. "  

Ok now on page 2, the OP puts this "...Remember, in the beginning all she wanted was to ensure the horse was safe and she had no intention of recovering the horse.  Now several discussions later she is asking an enormous amount for the papers. " 

You may want to get your story straight.  I thought this didn't sound right, and I still don't.  If this is truly a stolen horse issue, contact Debbie Metcalfe at Stolen Horse International, she is trained, and experienced in mediating, and helping in these situations.

I'd be curious to know at what point the original "owner" of the "stolen" horse contacted the police.And now that she's somehow located the horse (how did that happen?) that she hasn't had the police contact the OP.Or show up with the police to look at the horse to be sure it's "hers" before negotiating prices.

The OP said in the very beginning that "papers had been filed,people were going to jail" ect.When did that all transpire? How could they be going to jail and papers  have been filed if no law enforcement has even spoken with the OP at that point in time? Doesn't it have to be proven that the horse was stolen on such and such date,such and such time,from so and so person,BY so and so person???

Yeah,I wonder what the H is going on,myself.It's like."Look out,now,what???"

Rose, I don't think we are going to hear any updates after I pointed out the discrepancies.  I looked and my message was posted at 6:16pm yesterday, and Saddlebredlover was last on at 7pm'ish.  (shows this on member profile last logon time/date).   This kind of confirms my feeling.  If I was wrong, why didn't this person explain the discrepancies?  I am also going to give Debbie Metcalfe a call about this.  I know Debbie,I try to visit her every chance I get when I go to Expos she is at. She does an awesome job, and is a wonderful lady.  I support NetPosse (SHI).  That is why I recommended Saddlebredlover contact her.  Debbie would know exactly what to do, and would be a great mediator between the two parties.  

If this story is made up, then shame on Saddlebredlover for fabricating this.  If this is NOT made up I will apologize wholeheartedly.  But I would want confirmation from Debbie that this is not fabricated. As hers is the only National/International Stolen horse recovery network in operation that I know of, and SBL did say the horse was posted on a National Stolen Horse site.

Oh my GOd!

I can't believe people would think I've made this up.  I only wish.  Were do I begin.  I've read everyone's post and appreciate the comments.  After reading several comments, I decided to proceed with caution and contacted the investigator yesterday assigned to this case.  The investigator believes the horse was indeed stolen and I believe him.  They do plan on prosecuting the person responsible for the theft.  Because I'm not willing to pay the huge amount the original owner wants for the papers (I understand she paid a lot for the horse several years ago), I’m ready to work with her in the recovery of the horse.  I’m not planning on asking her for any money, she can give me money or not.  She might decide to give me something for my care since I have taken great care of her horse and he is much better because of my training, but that is up to her.

As far as the discrepancies...you all are a tough group and maybe have watched CSI too much.  The owner (as would anyone in this situation) has been indecisive in what she wants to do with the horse.  She has invested money in the horse and although she doesn't want to keep him anymore, she believes that if she were to recover the horse she could resell him...  I'm a long way from her and it would cost a lot of money to pick the horse up.  I'm not simply across town.  The owner also feels sorry for me because I spent money on the horse.  Because I wanted to do what was right, I offered to pay for the papers in the hopes we could both walk away with something; unfortunately my highest amount I’m willing to pay isn’t enough to justify leaving the horse with me. 

I don't know what else to say.  This is a bad deal and the moral...well, don't buy grade horses.  Lesson learned.   

SBL please be kind enough to post the link for where this horse is listed stolen on the "National Stolen Horse" site.  So when I talk to Debbie I know which horse to reference.

 You know what, don't bother.  I contacted Debbie, hopefully she will be in contact with you soon.  I gave her the link to this thread so she can help in the investigation.

This is a bad deal and the moral...well, don't buy grade horses.  Lesson learned.   

There is nothing wrong with buying grade horses.  If anything you should learn to get a reciept, (or write a check, all their bank/deposit info will be printed on the back) and all the paperwork that comes with even a grade horse.  Coggins, demand a health certificate, and depending on where you are, a brand inspection.  Those papers would have had the sellers information on it so you would have someone to go after in a situation like this.   Besides, registeration papers can be faked so they don't really mean much with out the DNA being checked as proof.

I'm a long way from her and it would cost a lot of money to pick the horse up.  I'm not simply across town.

Now that you've decide to let her have the horse, I'd talk to the sheriff about board/care until she picks the horse up.  She knows where the horse is, wants it back and should be responsible for it's upkeep again.  Now that she has claimed it you should no longer be responsible for those things. 

Terri that is great advice.  Wish I said that.

Hi again,

I just talked to the owner.  She's coming to get him this weekend.  I'm not worried about the care and expenses, after all, I've enjoyed a wonderful horse all this time.  I will be sad to see him go though. 

Saddlebredlover

So sorry that all this has happened. Hope they punish the person responsible!!

Hope you can find another one to love and care for!

Not all breed registries require DNA at this time.

SBL, I owe you an apology.  He is a beautiful gelding and I am sure you are heartbroken to let him go.  I love Palominos.  You most certainly will be blessed for caring for him.  Good deeds will get rewarded.  I honestly feel like a heel over this!  I did believe you.  But after some said I was too believing (that the owner could be a scammer) I got to second guessing things.  He was very blessed to be in your presence.    I am assuming that the trainer has been arrested at this point.  If not he will be soon!!!!  Good riddance to him! 

Again I am truly sorry for doubting you!!!  You truly are an Angel for caring for this horse, you were sent to be there for him!

(I wanted this in big and bold for everyone to see, I am truly sorry)