A man charged after the discovery of more than 20 dead horses at a property at Bulla, north-west of Melbourne, has been granted bail.

Key points: Neighbour describes scene where 22 horses found dead as "horrific"

Neighbour describes scene where 22 horses found dead as "horrific" Rotting remains of dead horses cause foul smell

Rotting remains of dead horses cause foul smell 63-year-old man assisting police over animal deaths, malnourishment

Twenty-two horses were found dead and another needed to be put down at a Batey Court property.

Neighbours made the grim discovery on Sunday after investigating the source of a foul smell and called police.

The rotting remains of at least 10 dead horses could still be seen in a paddock this morning.

Police said another 22 horses appeared to be suffering from malnutrition.

Bruce Akers, 63, has been charged with 92 counts of animal cruelty and criminal damage offences.

He faced the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court via video link on Monday afternoon.

RSPCA Victoria acting chief executive Jon McGregor said the situation was "appalling".

"It is a tragedy that animals would be left to suffer in this way," he said.

"All animal owners have a responsibility to ensure regular supervision and supply of water, feed and shelter.

Horse trainer Bruce Akers has been stood down by Racing Victoria following the charges. ( AAP: Julian Smith )

"It is unacceptable for animals to be allowed to starve to death or die of thirst under any circumstance."

Mr McGregor said the RSPCA first heard that horses were malnourished at the property on March 22.

"We regret that this report didn't accurately describe the situation that was uncovered yesterday, and that observations from outside the property did not reveal the true extent of what lay within," he said.

"The owner of this property is known to the RSPCA and the property is one which is not be attended without police support for safety reasons."

'Piles of bones' seen

Caroline Lofts, who discovered the horses, said the scene was "horrific".

She found animal feed on the property and fed some of the emaciated horses herself.

"There was not a blade of grass, it was just dusty. There [were] piles of decaying bones, white bones, so they've obviously been there a long time," she said.

"In the initial scene there were about 10 carcasses in various stages of decomposing. It was just horrendous."

Sorry, this video has expired Malnourished horses and piles of bones found at Bulla property

Another neighbour, Rob Mitchell, said he notified the RSPCA about the condition of the horses.

"I did phone the RSPCA the week leading up to Easter, and I'm not quite sure that they got out to check them but they did ask me questions about their condition, and I said it was pretty serious," he said.

"They had all their ribs showing. They didn't look too well."

Some local farmers offered to take in some of the animals.

Racing Victoria has stood down Akers, who is a restricted-licensed trainer.

"RV has arranged for equine re-homing groups to re-locate the remaining horses to an appropriate location to ensure their welfare is safeguarded and will provide funding assistance for any rehabilitation and feeding regimes required," a statement said.

"As the matter is under investigation by Victoria Police, Racing Victoria is not in a position to provide further comment at this stage."

Last week, more than 50 emaciated and starving horses were rescued from a property north of Perth.

The RSPCA also seized more than 100 malnourished and distressed horses and ponies from a property in Victoria's west in February.

Akers will return to court in May.

Members of the media wore face masks owing to the strong smell of rotting flesh. ( ABC News: Sarah Farnsworth )

ABC/AAP