Friday, August 25, 2006 10:53 AM CDT

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Texas legend throws support behind move to protect herds

Texas legend Willie Nelson is probably best known for his songs, his raucous lifestyle, his battle with the IRS and his support for fellow Texas musician Kinky Friedman in the upcoming governor’s race.

But Willie has another side to him. He has for many years been a big supporter of America’s farmers, organizing the Farm Aid concerts with Neil Young and John Mellencamp since 1985, and campaigning for increased use of biodiesel as an alternative fuel source

Now Willie is joining the crusade to save one of America’s last remaining ties to its Old West heritage—wild horses.

Many would be surprised to learn that wild horses still roam free in America. And many others would be shocked to learn they are routinely captured, slaughtered and sold overseas for food.

U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, a Republican from New York, has sponsored legislation to ban the slaughter of wild horses. The House is set to vote on the bill Sept. 7.

Willie Nelson and other entertainers plan to be in Washington Sept. 5 for a rally in support of the bill.

America’s wild horse population is down to about 25,000, primarily on public lands in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. That’s down from about 2 million at the turn of the century.

Hat’s off to Willie Nelson, Rep. Sweeney and others who seek to keep these proud symbols of our past roaming free across the West.