A Denton County rancher was released from jail Sunday afternoon after posting bail on a charge of cruelty to livestock animals after 76 of his malnourished Arabian horses were seized on Friday.

Gordon Dennis Key, 66, of Pilot Point walked out of the Denton County Jail about 2 p.m. Sunday after posting $10,000 bail, according to Denton County jail records.

Key could not be reached for comment Sunday.

In the next few days, he is expected to be charged with cruelty to livestock animals, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine, Denton County authorities have said.

Key had been in the custody of sheriff’s deputies late Friday and helped authorities identify horses and secure his ranch, Renazans Arabians on Hub Clark Road in Pilot Point, authorities have said.

He was booked into the Denton County Jail early Saturday.

The horses were recovering on Sunday and none of them had died, a Humane Society official said Sunday.

“They are getting feed and water,” said Samantha Laos of the Humane Society of North Texas. “They all seem to have calmed down and they realize someone is taking care of them.”

Laos estimated that about 20 horses were extremely malnourished and another 40 were seriously underfed.

Humane society officials have estimated that it could take six to eight months of feeding before the horses return to their full weight.

The horses were taken to a private ranch in Ponder and to a sale barn in Pilot Point where they are being cared for and treated by a veterinarian, authorities have said.

A custody hearing has been set for Aug. 26.