THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. -- The number of abandoned horses in the county are on the rise, according to animal rescue groups. And the statistic has sheriff's deputies training in unfamiliar territory -- animal health.

The training itself isn't new. but with so many horses being found starving with rotten coats and cracked hooves, animal rescue groups want to make sure deputies know exactly what to look for.

Connie Patterson with Hooved Animal Rescue is teaching deputies to feel, not just see. Patterson says one can tell a lot about a horse's build by touching its bones and creases. Firm muscles and negative creases are signs of a healthy horse, bulging bones are not.

Patterson is preparing the deputies for the calls that will come in the weeks and months to come.

"Early January, February, March, we'll start seeing or getting more calls," she said.

The calls are from neighbors and witnesses who are concerned about horses they believe are being abused.

Patterson says the numbers have been especially high this year because of the high price of hay.

"They have to start compromising somewhere and if they can't afford feed, they buy what they can. Unfortunately, horses can't adapt and compromise that way," she said.

Just last week, 13 horses taken from a Pierce County farm. The animals were starved and dehydrated.

Patterson has rescued 250 animals in the county, but she worries more have been overlooked by deputies who don't see the red flags.

Through Patterson's training, deputies learn to distinguish a healthy coat from a rotten one. They learn to score a horse's condition.

"Getting up, touching them, checking for the ribs, seeing how it feels," said Dep. Mike Brooks.

County prosecutors are discussing how animal abuse cases are prosecuted.

"Under the statute, if a person is given proper notice and they failed to respond to the notice on day 15, that animal is considered forfeited," Patterson said.

Patterson hopes her lessons will lead to more animals being rescued.