Woman charged after horses found in ‘deplorable’ conditions

NIWOT – The Boulder County Sheriff's Office has charged a woman with nine counts of cruelty to animals after seven horses were removed from a property because of the conditions.

Boulder County Animal Control Officers went to Dry Creek Arabians, Niwot Equestrian, in Niwot after getting several complaints about the living conditions and poor physical conditions of the horses there.

They say they found "deplorable" conditions for the 47 horses living on four acres. Officers say horses were found in stalls filled at least a foot deep with feces and urine, leaving them no dry place to stand or lie down. There was also not enough feed.

The owner of the business, Marcy Trescott-Helmick, says most of the horses were not hers, and were being boarded with her by other owners.

In addition to animal cruelty charges, she also faces 45 counts of violating Boulder's improper care of animals resolution.

The seven horses that were removed were taken to Colorado Horse Rescue.

Officers wanted to remove two more horses, but could not safely halter and trailer them because of the condition of their stall and because they had never been halter trained.

Those two and 11 more horses were left on the property with a "notice of warning" with strict instructions about their care from the officers.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office says it will continue to monitor their care.

The other 27 horses on the property were found to be in acceptable condition.