Some neglected horses are being cared for as humane agents try to nurse them back to recovery.

6 News first told you on Thursday about a malnourished horse who spent 16 hours lying in a Somerset County field, without the energy to even stand up. Workers from the Humane Society investigated for months and discovered six other neglected horses.

Our newsroom has received several calls from upset viewers asking why it took so long for humane officers to step in. So we went back to Somerset County on Friday to find the answer and get an update the horses.

Humane officers said they wanted to step in earlier but the current Pennsylvania laws prevented them.

"The horses were in bad condition but what people don't realize is that the laws are always there to protect the animal owners and not help us," said Somerset County humane officer Melissa Leonard. "When we got there the other day, there was a horse down and that constitutes as imminent danger so that was the only way we could legally take the horses."

When the horses were rescued on Thursday some of them were so sick they couldn't even stand. Officers said they found 2-year-old Mauvro was found lying in mud.

"He was pretty much given up on life," said Leonard. "His eyes were closed, he was having trouble breathing and his body temperature was extremely low."

On Friday, he still wasn't standing, but he was doing better as he was eating hay and drinking water on his own. As for the other six horses, they're still at the farm in Somerset but Leonard said they're receiving proper care until the Humane Society can find them good homes.

"We have had a lot of offers of people trying to hold the horses but we really would like somebody who has previous experience dealing with horses that have been starved," explained Leonard.

The Humane Society said it has been overwhelmed with phone calls from people wanting to help, but said it's not too late. It is still asking for donations, supplies and money, as well as loving homes for the horses.