Deliver the Herd quests and choosing not to complete them

[Collector Jim]

I picked up a deliver the herd quest which had 10 horses (I forget the type, but they were not pack animals). I decided I was not going to complete the quest because the value of keeping the horses was worth more. I know I can go to quest person and tell them I am keeping the herd, but if I choose to let the timer run out I should also keep the herd. Why do they magically disappear from my inventory? Now I have a negative reputation and no horses.

 

[LuckyLindy]

I picked up a deliver the herd quest which had 10 horses (I forget the type, but they were not pack animals). I decided I was not going to complete the quest because the value of keeping the horses was worth more. I know I can go to quest person and tell them I am keeping the herd, but if I choose to let the timer run out I should also keep the herd. Why do they magically disappear from my inventory? Now I have a negative reputation and no horses.

If the timer runs out, the herd will leave you. There is an option when you turn the quest in to keep the herd. I've never done this. I'm not sure what happens.