Authorities: Emaciated horses confiscated from Deland horse farm

DELAND, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities say more than two dozen emaciated and feces-covered purebred Arabian horses have been confiscated from a Deland horse farm.

Volusia County sheriff's investigators say the mares and stallions were taken after a neighbor complained about a horse possibly being buried alive on the property.

Investigators found that complaint to be unfounded but discovered 26 other horses with noticeable rib cages living in stables covered with urine and feces, among other things.

The owner was not charged.

He told investigators he had hit hard financial times and couldn't feed or care for the animals.

The horses have been taken to live on various farms across Volusia County for medical care.

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