Animal welfare investigators followed a trail of neglected horses through three counties before finally seizing the animals Tuesday from an Isanti County farm their owner had recently bought.

The eight horses and a donkey found on the property near Stanchfield belonged to the same woman from whom officers had confiscated 15 malnourished horses on Sept. 10 at a Mora property.

Animal Humane Society officials on Wednesday would not release the owner's name until they confirm she's been charged.

Investigators haven't been able to speak with the woman, though they've left many messages, said investigator Wade Hanson.

The Arabians and the donkey seized Tuesday, which had ribs protruding through their skin, are recovering at the University of Minnesota veterinary hospital. The 15 horses seized earlier are being cared for by the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation. Hanson said the woman faces neglect charges for not giving the animals adequate food, water and shelter.

Such animal-neglect cases come monthly but always seem to worsen in the winter, he said.

Hanson learned of the animals' condition last August from a horse buyer who told investigators that the woman kept horses on her parents' property in Rush City in Chisago County. Animal investigators went there in August, where they spotted three horse and a donkey in "rough shape," he said.

By September, authorities had learned of the Mora address, and Kanabec authorities went there and seized 15 horses. They discovered, however, that five other horses had been moved.

The same day, investigators tried to seize the three horses and donkey from the Rush City location, but the woman had moved them.

Investigators searched real-estate sales records to track the woman to Stanchfield.

A Wednesday hearing was scheduled to determine if she should get the animals back.

"She didn't show up," Hanson said, "so we're still holding the horses."

Joy Powell • 612-673-7750

Joy Powell • jpowell@startribune.com