Two of the seven horses are fed at Northlands after spending days abandoned in a trailer. Two of the seven horses are fed at Northlands after spending days abandoned in a trailer. (CBC)

A 74-year-old man has been charged after police in Edmonton found seven horses abandoned for days in a trailer near 124th Street and Yellowhead Trail on Sunday night.

When officers opened the vehicle, they found the animals standing in feces and urine.

"It appears that the horses were in the trailer for at least two days, possibly three, without water and very limited food," said Staff Sgt. Blair Edl.

One of the officers contacted Northlands, which is hosting Farmfair International through Nov. 15. The organization agreed to house the horses for as long as necessary.

"Our concern is certainly the welfare of animals, and we jumped to the pump," said Ken Knowles, president of Northlands. "We've got stabling on our site for over 1,000 horses and, you know, we always have stalls available."

"They've been well-fed and watered throughout the day here today, so they're in good shape today," he said.

The man has been charged with causing an animal to be in distress, under Alberta's Animal Protection Act.