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Two malnourished horses removed from the Albury equestrian centre are being re-located to a welfare re-training operator in Victoria.
The horses are currently en route to a facility that takes in retired racehorses, Racing NSW has confirmed to The Border Mail.
After preliminary inquiries into the welfare of the horses, Racing NSW confirmed the six-year-old bay gelding was a Victorian ex-racehorse and the chestnut mare a former harness-racing horse, and that Racing Victoria was abreast of the situation.
PREVIOUSLY:
Two starving horses at the Albury-Wodonga Equestrian Centre have been hastily removed from the facility today as Racing NSW and the RSPCA begin investigations into the matter.
RSPCA Albury inspector Lionel Smith confirmed the horses had been moved into private care and said the owner "appears to have surrendered the horses".
Mr Smith said investigations were continuing into how the pair, a 6-year-old bay thoroughbred gelding and a chestnut mare, came to be in such a terrible state.
He said the matter had only been brought to his attention on Monday.
"The bay (ex) racehorse was in a particularly emaciated condition; a vet checked them this morning and has taken bloods," he said.
Mr Smith said the horses were "in good hands now" and he had "full confidence in that person" but would continue to monitor their progress.
"The horses have been taken charge of and I believe it is a very responsible and well-known person," he said but would provide no further details.
Albury-Wodonga Equestrian Centre (AWEC) management did not respond to questions put to them by The Border Mail on Wednesday about the future of the horses after confirming the facility had terminated the owner's agistment.
Earlier today, Albury mayor Kevin Mack said the health and welfare of the horses was "our top priority" and advised council staff had been in touch with AWEC to provide support.
"We're willing to work with the owner to secure private agistment for the horses so that they can continue their recovery under the appropriate care," Cr Mack said.
The RSPCA is yet to interview the owner.