Ropo, watch the scoundrel. Swapping horses is easy. Dishonest horse trader do it all the time. DNA is the only fool proof way to prove anything. I could go on Craigs list right now and just go to one or two auctions and probably find just about any color or type of horse I wanted for under $200. Then, when it was over, I could take the horse to the next auction and get most of my money back. I go to a lot of horse auctions. I've seen a lot of "papered" horses that I doubt really go with papers that are photo copied and hanging on the side of the pen. It can take an experienced eye to really see the slight discrepencies in markings and know the body types for particular breeding lines. I've also seen a lot of horses that look absolutely purebred but have no papers being sold as grade. It makes a person wonder. Remember, Oklahoma is the horse and cattle thief capital of the world. The market is ripe there to pick up cheap horses. The Oklahoma livestock laws make it an ideal state to bring stolen livestock to for a quick sale. Ask the DA if he can request that the judge authorize an agent selected by you to go and collect DNA. The agent should preferably be a horse person familiar with Max. Sorry that I'm such a downer. I just have seen way to much dishonesty in the horse world. And the family you're dealing with probably know a lot of shady characters to help them.
