LICHFIELD, Ohio -- Medina County agencies are investigating a case of negligence involving several horses at a Lichfield stable, reported NewsChannel5's Michelle Relerford.

Rescuers found the six horses living deplorable conditions at the stable on Route 162. They were extremely thin and covered in manure.

Rescuers with Angels Haven Horse Rescue said the horses were kept in their stalls 24 hours a day for a year, and they ate and slept in manure that is now fused to their bodies.

The animals' hooves were overgrown and rotted, making walking painful.

"We saw two, and we all just stood there and just bawled. And the man said there is another one in bad shape, and I just said, 'I'll take it,'" said rescuer Mindy Kazaroff.

Kazaroff was tipped off about the horses from a woman who had visited their stable. She helped the rescuers buy the horses, but offered little information about the owner.

Kazaroff said they couldn't delay the rescue to find out more.

"We couldn't wait. We had to get them out of there," said Kazaroff.

The owner of the horses has been reported to the proper authorities. It could take several thousand dollars to rehabilitate the horses fully.

If you would like to help these animals, call Angles Haven Horse Rescue at (330) 461-2318 or (440) 734-1873.