I'm glad that I could become the resident laughing stock.
No, seriously, it's not that simple. When I last tried to ask if they would GIVE me the horse, they responded by telling me I could RENT it for $200/month as a pasture mate.
Now, while I might pay that much for the horse outright, to get it away from it's current situation - to think that the animal is "rentable," in any condition, much less his current condition, while I'd be paying all of his rehab bills (vet, feed, farrier, etc), seems a little ridiculous to me.
I hesitate to open that can of worms again and get the same response from the owners - whom I didn't know on anything but a casual basis and who most likely don't remember me at all.
So, it seems as though, in the interest of tact, I could go up and ask them if they'd consider giving him to me as a pasture mate for my own blind horse...and risk them thinking that makes him a money-earner for them...or I reveal that my real plan is to "rescue" him and risk insinuating (perhaps rightfully) that he's not well cared for and would be better off in another home. Somehow, I don't see that going over so well.
Anyhow, I can see that my dilemma is amusing from an outsider's perspective - from my own rather shy, non-confrontational perspective, it's quite a dilemma. It was easier to find out here, while still semi-anonymous, if anyone knew anything else about him than I already do (which is minimal).
But hey, I'm glad you all got a laugh out of me.