NIWOT, Colo. -- After receiving numerous complaints of possible animal abuse, Boulder County Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant Thursday and found dozens of horses to be living in deplorable conditions at Dry Creek Arabians, Niwot Equestrian Center, authorities said.

The sheriff's office said it received numerous complaints about the living conditions and the poor physical conditions of the horses at Dry Creek Arabians, located in the 7100 block of 83rd Street in Niwot.

A neighbor asking not to be identified said he filed one of the complaints. The neighbor told 7NEWS he was concerned the horses were eating the wood fence out of starvation. "You could tell they were in pretty bad shape," the neighbor said.

Officers said the conditions were deplorable and some horses were found standing in stalls filled with feces and urine at least one foot deep.

"There wasn't any dry place to stand or lie down," said Commander Phil West of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. Investigators also found an inadequate amount of food for the animals.

About 47 horses were being kept on about four acres of land at the property, officers said. The owner of the business, Marcy Trescott-Helmick, said most of the horses were not hers but were being boarded with her by their owners.

A woman who answered the phone at Trescott-Helmick's home Friday night told 7NEWS she had no comment.

Seven horses were impounded and were taken to Colorado Horse Rescue near Longmont because of their dire conditions, officers said.

"Clearly they've been neglected," said Rachel Tanguy, who is the executive director of the non-profit organization. "Their hooves are overgrown. We're cautiously optimistic they will recover," Tanguy said.

Some 13 other horses were left on the property under a notice of warning with strict instructions as to their care, which will be followed closely by the sheriff's office, said Sgt. Heidi Prentup of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.

The remaining 27 horses were in acceptable condition, Prentup said.

Boulder County authorities also plan to look into the number of horses Trescott-Helmick had on her property, for any land use/zoning violation.

Deputies said Trescott-Helmick faces potential charges of animal cruelty and improper care.

Care takers at Colorado Horse Rescue say the horses will remain in their care while the case goes through the legal system. There is a possibilty the animals could be adopted out in the future.

Colorado Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is dedicated to providing shelter, emergency relief, care, rehabilitation, and adoption services for abused, abandoned, neglected and unwanted horses.