Willie Nelson Sings to Save ‘Wild Horses’

When the Rolling Stones released their 1971 hit 'Wild Horses,' they probably couldn't have imagined hearing the voice of country music icon Willie Nelson performing the tune four decades later. But the 77-year-old has just released his version of the song, recorded with several of his family members, in an effort to raise money for the American Wildlife Institute, and a special campaign to save wild and domestic horses.

"The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) has been rounding them up at an alarming rate, supposedly for their own good," Willie says on his website. "Sadly, there are more wild horses in holding pens than in the wild. Something is wrong with that, so we must act now before the BLM has managed these magnificent animals into extinction. It's time for the cowboys to stand up for the horses."

An avid activist, Willie hopes the sale of 'Wild Horses' will raise both awareness and much-needed funds to save the horses and also to stop the exploitation of the land the horses need to roam. The addition of Willie to the campaign will, according to the AWI, help save the horses in a desperate time.

"There is no greater voice than Willie Nelson when it comes to speaking for the underdog," says Chris Heyde, AWI Deputy Director of Government and Legal Affairs. "For decades, Willie has fought to protect family farmers in America, while also advocating for the humane treatment of horses and other animals. We are so grateful for the support of Willie and the entire Nelson family and we hope this song will raise awareness of the deteriorating situation facing wild horses and help turn things around before they disappear from their lands forever."

To learn more about how you can help save the wild horses, visit here. To download a copy of 'Wild Horses' by Willie and the Nelson Family, click here.

Willie is spending the next several months on the road, including a show in Muncie, Ind. tomorrow night (March 24). He will also headline the Country Throwdown tour this summer, where he will be joined by Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Craig Campbell and several others. Keep track of his schedule here.