A joint investigation has been launched into the condition of three emaciated horses found neglected in a half-built house.

The horses, whose ribs are clearly visible, have been taken into care by the Department of Agriculture under the Care and Protection of Animals Act 1975.

All three appear lame, one bleeds from the nose and another suffers from a string-holt, or injury to a tendon on a hind leg. They are now being cared for on private property.

Last night, Dr. Neil Burnie, the Government veterinarian, said a complaint was made to his department and an investigation immediately launched in conjunction with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"The horses are now in my care. They were taken into care because the Department of Agriculture had sufficient grounds for believing that an offence may have occurred in breach of the Care and Protection of Animals Act,'' he said.

They were moved from their stables, near Glebe Road, on Tuesday and are now being cared for on a farm.

It is not known who the owner is, although he bought the three horses, called Nancy, Big Red and Taji, about eight months ago from Mr. John Flood, who trains horses.

"When they left me, they were perfect. But last week the man came to see me telling me he was going to bring them back. I went to see them earlier this week and I was just blown away,'' he said.

Mr. Flood said the horses were standing in their own excrement, had no bedding and were on a concrete floor. Their ribs were visible and they looked dehydrated.

The SPCA, which had seen the horses about two months ago when they were in good shape, was contacted on Tuesday morning and Inspector Louis Ray went to inspect them again and found conditions unsatisfactory. "Dr. Burnie was called and together we inspected the animals and they were taken away,'' he said.