DENVER -- A 39-year-old man has been charged with animal cruelty after 22 horses were found on his property in poor condition due to lack of proper care, the Weld County sheriff said.

Troy Beattie faces 22 counts of felony-aggravated cruelty to animals after an officer found the horses on his property.

The horses were found Sunday after the Weld County Sheriff's Office animal control went to the property in the 17000 block of Weld County Road 32 to check on reports of animal abuse.

Shortly after arriving, an officer found the 22 horses that were either emaciated or had other physical problems from lack of care, Sheriff John Cooke said.

Six horses were reported in very poor condition. Beattie, who has not been previously charged with an animal cruelty related offense, was not home at the time of the initial investigation, and he was arrested Monday, Cooke said.

Cooke said 17 of the horses were taken to private addresses that were checked by animal control for adequate food and shelter. Two horses were removed by their owner, and three were unaccounted for Monday night.

A veterinarian will assess the horses' conditions Tuesday.