Willie Nelson Rescues 70 Horses From Slaughter, Now They Roam Free on His Ranch

86-year-old country music legend Willie Nelson recently did something rather remarkable. He personally saved 70 horses from being slaughtered.

Most fans know that Nelson’s an avid animal lover, and proved just how much he loves them by giving dozens of horses a second chance at life.

Nelson decided to change the fate of 70 condemned horses from death to freedom after he had the animals transferred to his ranch in Texas, where they are now allowed to roam and live out their lives freely.

The name of the horses’ new forever home is called the ‘Luck Ranch’ located in Spicewood, 30 miles outside of Austin.

The plot has over 700-acres of beautiful grazing land for the horse to run freely and enjoy life. The singer says that he’s now the father of those 70 horses, and while he’s often busy on tour, whenever he’s free Nelson is said to spend a lot of time at the ranch.

During an interview with ABC News, the singer spoke about his fondness of the ranch and his four-legged family.

“When you’re here, you’re in Luck, and when you’re not, you’re out of Luck.”

Most of the horses Nelson saved were reserved to go to the slaughterhouse. But over a few years, Nelson’s managed to rescue at least 70 horses from their grim fate. He claims the horses are now the luckiest horses in the world and now have the freedom they rightfully deserve.

“My horses are probably the luckiest horses in the world,” Nelson said. “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 also expressed his love for horses in a CD that will be released this summer. On the CD is a song entitled “Ride Me Back Home.” Throughout his prolific career, Nelson’s shown his love for horse both through his actions and music. As late as 1989, he released a song titled, “A Horse Called Music,” with lyrics reading: