Nearly a week after Hurricane Irene passed through Schorharie County, N.Y., the owner of 22 horses swept away during the storm is hoping to recover his animals.

On Aug. 28, 22 Thoroughbred stallions, mares, and foals belonging to breeder Leland Neff went missing, and were presumably swept away in flood waters, said Debi Metcalfe of Stolen Horse International. The missing herd also includes a Welsh Pony and two Paint horses, and four other horses made it out of the water to safety, she said.

"Leland is devastated," Metcalfe said. "There has been no sign of the missing horses."

Since the incident, Neff and volunteers have been searching for the animals, but post-storm conditions are hindering their progress, Metcalfe said