Authorities removed 18 Thoroughbreds from a farm in Evansville, Ill, after complaints about horse abuse and neglect led authorities to the property. Their owner, Steven Duncan now faces 13 counts of animal cruelty.

Lieutenant Doug Daza of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s department said that Duncan has been a problem in the community and that officers have visited the property several times. This is the first time Duncan has been charged.

“The animals lived in terrible conditions. They were standing in 2 to 3 feet of feces,” said Daza.

“For the most part the horses do not appear starved, but they have several other serious medical conditions. There is one very emaciated horse who is being treated and is still not out of the woods,” continued Daza.

The horses have severe skin and fungal infections, including rain rot. They were extremely filthy and had been locked in dirty stalls for a long period of time.

“One thing that struck me,” said Daza, “is the owner kept talking about white markings on the horses, and I couldn’t even see them. They were just caked in dirt and feces.”

The horses appear to be recovering well. They are stabled at the Vanderburgh County 4-H fairgrounds under the care of a local equestrian club.