Willie Nelson Rescues Abused Horses
Willie Nelson has a new album called 'Heroes' due out in May, but he's already a hero to a pair of neglected horses. As first reported by SummervillePatch, the legendary entertainer is offering Whisper, a 3-year-old stallion, and Traveler, a 12-year-old mare, a permanent home on his Texas ranch once they have recuperated from the traumatic ordeal of severe abuse and neglect.
After being seized from the care of their owner, Dwight Benjamin McCloud of Summerville, S.C., the two horses were transported to the nearby LEARN (Livestock and Equine Awareness and Rescue Network) facility to be nursed back to health.
Elizabeth Steed of LEARN reports that Whisper, who had kerosene burns on his back from where the owner reportedly tried to burn off a fungus, had started improving within 24 hours. "We believe he is certainly out of the woods," she tells the Charleston Post and Courier. "Even the veterinarian was impressed. We might have to do skin grafts to repair some of the damage from the burns, but he's just a baby, which is good for him because he can recover easily."
According to Eric Elkins of LEARN, the horses will not be moved until they have more fully recovered. He also reports that Willie plans to take the plight of the pair to the South Carolina State Capitol, sharing their story and advocating for the humane treatment of all horses.
Earlier this month, McCloud was charged with seven counts of animal abuse and neglect. Reportedly, only two of the four horses in his care were removed.
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