Willie Nelson Stands Up For Horses

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

21 Aug 2006 05:44 PM

Country singer Willie Nelson is raising his voice in defense of wild horses. The popular crooner is the latest to join an effort to ban the slaughter of what some consider the symbol of the West. His work to eliminate the killing of horses in the United States for consumption of their meat abroad comes just days before Congress is scheduled to vote on a bill aimed at ending horse slaughter.

"If you've ever been around horses a lot, especially wild horses, you know they are part of the American heritage. I don't think its right that we kill them and eat them," Nelson recently told reporters.

Nelson's interview came on the heels of a news release, which promotes a rally scheduled for September 5th in Washington, D.C. The gathering is in support of the bill sponsored by New York Representative John Sweeney. While Nelson will not be able to attend the rally, he says his daughter Amy will, along with other celebrities, including former "10" star Bo Derek and Jennifer Pryor, wife of the late comedian Richard Pryor.

Nelson admitted to reporters that he is fairly new to the horse slaughter issue and says he was introduced to the cause by country music producer Eddie Kilroy's show on satellite radio, Hank's Place, which is now Willie's Place.

"When it was Hank's Place, Eddie Kilroy was talking about the issue. He was talking about horse slaughter one day and he called me and talked about what a horrible practice that is. One thing led to another," Nelson said.

Nelson whose hits include "Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" said he has owned several horses and has several buried on his ranches. "I do have a lot of respect for my horses, a lot. I don't ride them as much as I used to and I think they appreciate it," he joked to reporters.

For more information on the House Bill introduced to protect horses from slaughter click here.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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