Glazed eyes, an unsteady gait and bones that looked at any moment like they could pierce what was left of a once beautiful coat marked a gray appaloosa mare removed Friday from an Otter Creek Township farm by Mercer County Humane Society agent Cyndi Sankey.

The mare was one of three emaciated horses scheduled to be taken from the farm at 91 Bush Road, although the gray appaloosa was the worst of the four, among a herd of about two dozen, according to Humane Society volunteer Ray Augustine. A pony was to be taken as well.

One of the four volunteers helping Mrs. Sankey at the farm said he found a fresh grave where he believed a stallion was buried within the past couple of days.

"As the humane officer, I can lift them legally if I think their lives are in danger," Mrs. Sankey said. "And then the first thing in the morning we'll have a vet examine them."

Mrs. Sankey said volunteers removed only the gray Appaloosa Friday night before leaving the farm at about 9 p.m. She and volunteers plan to return at 1 p.m. today to remove the other three horses.

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