RAVENNA -- Four horses remain in the care of the Happy Trails Animal Sanctuary in Ravenna after 11 severely malnourished horses were removed from property in Newton Falls.

Authorities say one of the 11 horses had to be euthanized, and another is in intensive care. The remaining horses went to different animal sanctuaries around Ohio.

Happy Trails Executive Director Annette Fisher says some of the horses were so weak they could not stand. Fisher says they have a host of problems from sores on their skin to problems with their hooves which are all rooted in their lack of nutrition.

"It's heartbreaking because this didn't happen overnight this isn't a horse that didn't have food for a night or a few days he had to have months of lack of nutrition to get in this condition," Fisher said.

According to officials, one of the horses, a Clydesdale, is 700 pounds underweight. Fisher says another of the horses is pregnant. She says it could take a year to get the animals back in good health.

Fisher and her staff are monitoring what the horses eat. She says they have to be fed in moderation until their bodies adjust to having food again.

"Every case makes us angry because it shows a lack of caring and responsibility on the part of the owners," Fisher tells Fox 8 News.

The animal sanctuary says this is one of the worst cases of animal neglect she has ever seen. Fisher advises that any pet owner who cannot take care of their animals should find somewhere to place them before they allow the animals to fall into such bad shape.

Trumbull County deputies arrested the horse owner, Melissa Giambrone. She has been charged with cruelty to animals and cruelty to companion animals due to the number of dogs and cats that were also removed from the property.

Animal experts tell Fox 8 News that it could take up to a year for the horses to fully recover.

Trumbull County deputies say Giambrone could face additional charges.