PA/PixabayAmerican musician Willie Nelson rescued 70 horses from the slaughterhouse and gave them a new life roaming around his Texas ranch.
The 86-year-old is known for being a singer, songwriter, actor, producer and writer, but ‘animal-lover’ can definitely be added to the list after he welcomed the doomed horses to his property, Luck Ranch.
Located in Spicewood, 30 miles from Austin, the 700-acre plot gives the horses plenty of space to wander.
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In an interview with ABC News, the singer spoke fondly of the ranch, saying:
When you’re here, you’re in Luck, and when you’re not, you’re out of Luck.
He rescued all 70 horses, most of which were destined for the slaughterhouse, over several years, and described them as the ‘luckiest horses in the world’. Nelson’s all about the luck, it seems!
The American said:
My horses are probably the luckiest horses in the world. They get hand-fed twice a day, and they were just ready to go to slaughter – is probably the last thing they remembered, so they’re happy horses.
Nelson has long made his love for horses known through both his actions and his music.
PAIn 1989 he released a song titled A Horse Called Music, with lyrics reading:
High on a mountain in western Montana
A silhouette moves cross a cinnamon sky
Ridin’ along on a horse he called Music
A song on his latest album also attests to his love for the animals, while a video he made in 2015, titled The Love Of Horses, achieved the People’s Silver Telly Award.
In the video, the singer described how he plans for videos and films to be made on his ranch, so he can ride a horse. He raised awareness for the amount of horses which are sent to slaughter each year in the US, and met with members of Habitat for Horses, who were working to end the slaughter of horses by trying to get legislation passed.
The 86-year-old’s love for horses is one that has been passed on to his children. His daughter Amy spoke of fond memories growing up around the majestic animals in The Love Of Horses, and according to The Epoch Times Nelson’s son Lukas is a supporter of Saving America’s Horses, as well as Habitat for Horses, like his dad.
Nelson is a hero for saving all those horses; the world needs more people like him!
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.