More than 50 allegedly neglected horses are receiving rehabilitative care from two Texas rescue agencies after they were removed from their owner’s care earlier this month.

Local law-enforcement authorities joined volunteers from True Blue Animal Rescue and the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society to remove the 57 Thoroughbred and Arabian horses from the custody of owner Carol Paselk on May 9. Melanie DeAeth, president of True Blue Animal Rescue, said the horses were malnourished and needed veterinary and farrier care.

The seizure stemmed from a January 2009 complaint made to DeAeth about the condition of the horses.

“Originally, we were trying to help (Paselk) feed them and find new placement for them,” DeAeth said.

But when the horses’ owner declined placement offers, DeAeth contacted Bluebonnet President Jennifer Williams, PhD, and local authorities to coordinate the horses’ removal.

A Justice of the Peace will make the decision to either return the horses to their owner or allow them to remain in rescuers’ custody. No criminal charges have been filed. The horses are currently residing in holding facilities.

The rescuers are seeking contributions to help offset the cost of the horses’ care. For more information, visit Bluebonnetequine.org and T-bar.org.