Ten "giant" draft horses are now receiving veterinary care at the MSPCA's Nevins Farm in Methuen, after their owner admitted he could not care for them and surrendered them to authorities.
The horses, rescued from a farm in Central Massachusetts on June 28, stand a foot taller than standard breeds, the MSPCA said. Nine males and one female horse are now undergoing a refeeding program and other treatment.
"Some of them are underweight and some have teeth and hoof issues, but at the end of the day, the owner did the right thing, which was to accept that he could no longer meet their needs and to surrender them to our care," MSPCA Law Enforcement Officer Christine Allenberg said in a statement.
Once the horses are in good health, they will be available for adoption. Potential owners can contact the farm at barnstaff@mspca.org or visit during business hours.
"Right now our goal is to get the horses well enough so that in the coming weeks we can place them into new homes," Nevins Farm barn manager Gia Barss said in a statement.
The MSPCA has also set up a donation fund to pay for their horses' veterinary care, which is expected to cost at least $5,000.
Historically draft horses were bred to be working animals, with owners using their large size and docile natures to pull carts and plow fields.