A local animal rescue group seized six horses from an owner on CR 324, located 8 miles Southwest of Caldwell.

The experts say it's not to hard to see when animals like this aren't being fed properly.

News 3 was there when True Blue Animal Rescue group moved in to take the horses to better homes.

Six horses, young and old are now in the hands of a volunteer rescue group.

On many of them, you can see visible ribs, a sign these animals are malnourished.

"It isn't just a case of she didn't feed them this is a case of gross medical neglect," said Melanie Deaeth, the President and Founder of True Blue Animal Rescue, based in Brenham.

We're told the owner has 29 horses on the property.

"I think that in this particular case she's overwhelmed she has stallions and mares and she's been breeding 'em and she's gotten to the point where she has more than she can care for," Deaeth said.

One by one the six were loaded into trailers bound for temporary homes. It was hot and dusty work, and many of the horses put up a fight during the move.

Veterinarian Lee Panko said the malnourished horses got that way over a period of time.

"There's some that are good condition but eight or nine are probably in poor condition, they're pretty thin. Their feet are long they look like they haven't been trimmed in a while and you know pretty overgrown toes and kind of set back on their heels," said Lee Panko, D.V.M., with Brenham Veterinary Hospital.

Melanie Deaeth says the economy and drought may have also played a part in the problem.

"I think it's a combination of factors in this case I don't think it's that she doesn't care. I think she does care about them but I think that she's overloaded," she added.

After True Blue Animal Rescue finishes seizing the animals in question we're told a court hearing is set for 9 A.M. Monday to determine who'll get full custody of them.

We're told at least two horses will likely have to be euthanized.

The owner of the horses told News 3 off camera that she couldn't afford the upkeep and was having problems finding someone to adopt the horses.

No charges are being filed at this time and the name of the owner is not being released. Authorities are working with the owner as she focuses on care for the remaining horses.

If you'd like more information on adopting one of these horses there's a link attached to this story below or you can call the True Blue Animal Rescue group at (936) 878-2349.