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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Mariposa's sad eyes tell her story. The horse must lie down because of her hurt hoof. And more than that, she shares a small pen with another horse named King.

But Thompson said she wants a place where her horses can roam free.

"Oh yes, most definitely," horse-owner Tonia Thompson said. "A bigger pasture, some grass and I would spoil them."

Thompson admits she needs help caring for the animals in her backyard not zoned for horses. On Thursday night, Thompson met with Paula Isenbarg with Local Equine Assistance Network (LEAN).

"If this property was zoned for horses, I think it would be zoned for one horse because the property lots are small," Isenbarg said. She works with the local horse community and wanted to find temporary boarding for her horses.  

"We have a wonderful group of supporters here," Isenbarg said. "There are always people to call and there are always resources that can be brought to bear."

A horse doesn't need a big fancy barn, it just needs some shelter and a little room to roam. And there's plenty of room at Horsemans Park. Mary Gapaya manages that facility and said they can take horses in emergency situations.

"Is it a situation where she just needs to get on her feet financially and get it back into a boarding facility because obviously it can't stay at her home?" Gapaya asked.

Thompson said she needs housing for her horses for about three months until she can afford to board them herself.

City Code Enforcement has cited Thompson for having the horses on her property. The city said she has until Tuesday to remove the animals. The local horse community wants to get them housing and medical care before next week.