this is really a great day of celebration! i can't believe it - from today on i shall have a better life - texas shall not slaughter horses anymore! just now i shall bring the good news to all my friends! thank you willie nelson - you are my hero!

Posted by: claudia | March 7, 2007 10:03 AM

I shudder to think about how many stolen American horses ended up on foreign dinner plates

Horse theft has been a flourishing business for these slaughterhouses

And yet, the AVMA has supported them!! How crazy is that?

It's time for the American public (that pays their paychecks) to take a good hard look at the veterinary lobbies like the AVMA and demand change

The AVMA lobbies for animal abuse too much of the time! (while they encourage their vets to do sleazy things like shut down low-cost spay/neuter and pet healthclinics or deny them the right to open)

Time to let the stink out at the AVMA!!

Posted by: kelly | March 7, 2007 10:16 AM

It's hard to be so excited about something like this because it seems so surreal. Don't get me wrong though, I am almost in tears because I am so excited. I have a question though, I thought there were only three places in the US where horses were slaughtered, does that mean there is only one place left (the one in Illinois?????) Or was my info just wrong. Somebody please let me know. THANKS WILLIE NELSON!!!!!!!

Posted by: lindsey | March 7, 2007 11:32 AM

Blue skies smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies do I see . . . Nothing but blue skies for horses from now on.

Hooray for Willie! I love you!

Posted by: Sheila | March 7, 2007 11:53 AM

I am a horse lover and this is the best news I've heard in a long while. Willie Nelson is amazing--hooray!

And his beard is hot too.

Posted by: Patsy | March 7, 2007 02:01 PM

This is wonderful news! Many thanks to Willie and his daughter!! I really hope more slaughterhouses don't pop up elsewhere. We need to get rid of slaughter in all of the US and focus on limiting breeding instead! It makes me sick also how many of those horses that end up in slaughter are stolen. Horse owners should not worry that their horses will get stolen to go on someones dinner plate overseas.

Posted by: Tracy | March 7, 2007 02:14 PM

I've always suspected this was a man with a huge heart (he wrote "Crazy" ferchrissakes!). I just never realized, until now, that he has cojones to match.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

So thank you, Willie and daughter, for doing something.

Posted by: Nancy | March 7, 2007 03:03 PM

Willie and his daughter Amy are incredible advocates for the animals. When he became my groups spokesman for passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act we couldn't have picked up a better champion (actually, two champions). To top it off, Willie has stepped up to rescue almost 20 horses from slaughter to live out their lives on his Texas ranch. He is always looking to do more.

Posted by: Chris | March 7, 2007 08:02 PM

great for you willie i have been working to save those beautiful animals.a great pat on the back for helping those that can't help themselves. BRENDA

Posted by: brenda k ash | March 8, 2007 02:57 PM

I Am an Animal Rescuer
My job is to assist God's creatures
I was born with the need to fulfill their needs
I take in new family members without plan, thought, or selection
I have bought dog food with my last dime
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid
I have fallen in love a thousand times and I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body
I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends I don't often use the word "pet"
I notice those lost at the road side And my heart aches
I will hand raise a field mouse And make friends with a vulture I know of no creature unworthy of my time
I want to live forever if there aren't animals in Heaven But I believe there are
Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind
We may be master of the animals, But the animals have mastered themselves
Something people still haven't learned
War and Abuse makes me hurt for the world But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind
We are a quiet but determined army And making a difference every day
There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan nothing more rewarding than saving a life
No higher recognition than watching them thrive
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play who only days ago, was too weak to eat
I am an Animal Rescuer
My work is never done,
My home is never quiet
My wallet is always empty But my heart is always full

In the game of life, we have already won.

Annette King-Tucker Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue Claremore, Ok

Posted by: Elizabeth Robbins | March 9, 2007 07:27 AM

For more info on America's wild horses and slaughter see this great website with lots of great pics and the facts!
http://www.best-horse-photos.com/Wild-Horses.html

Posted by: Elizabeth Robbins | March 9, 2007 07:37 AM

Willie's a beautiful old soul. I actually hugged him once!
In his autobiography, he talks of playing golf on his ranch. Some guy he was playing with said, "Watch this." That guy hit a golf ball at a deer and hit her right in the side. She screamed and took off, but she was OK.
Willie said to the guy, "You're banned from here, starting yesterday! Get out!"
THAT'S who Willie Nelson is.

Posted by: C. Dave | March 11, 2007 03:36 PM

thank god for people like you willie, god bless you and those like you, i cry about the innocent slaughtering of all animals for profit every day, i must ask god WHY GOD, WHY???? these animals have souls and feel pain, why must people be so cruel, WHY, WHY, WHY!!! someone please tell me why animals are skinned alive and trapped for a mans profit, why? i only hope KARMA is true and those who hurt these animals will suffer eternally.

Posted by: nico | March 11, 2007 07:55 PM

you would have to be a complete asshole to not like horses.

Posted by: Larry Buck | April 9, 2007 12:18 AM

I am in Ohio and the Farm Bureau is so upset because they aren't going to be able to slaughter horses anymore. I think it's about time some one stops the slaughter of something. The American way is to kill and hang it on your wall. It really pisses me off. Please leave these precious creatures alone.
"Walk softly on Mother Earth"

Posted by: Rita | June 20, 2007 12:07 AM

Last night I was space surfing on myspace when I came across someone who titled thier web as (my dead flicka)At first I felt threatend by the turm. But as I looked though his page I utterly freaked out and had nightmares the rest of the night. For my childhood I had horses and loved them very much as I do today. they will always have a place in my heart. I studied them and understand them. NO animal diserves to be slaughtered like this! It makes me ashamed to be human! How can theese people sleep at night murdering horse after horse? I say this to Willie THANK YOU for doing something I would have done. If I knew I would get cought I turn the entire lot loose! I would not be able to just save one.
Wille you earned my heart. May you and you're family live long and healty. Bless you

Posted by: Holly | September 27, 2007 10:58 AM

What do you people think happens to horses that used to go to slaughter? Do you think money magically appears to feed them or do you think some are dying a slow painful death of starvation now that there is no longer a slaughter outlet to accept them? Do you think backyard breeders are going to stop overbreeding horses, no they will not. Did you know that horses are now shipped to slaughter houses in Mexico where they recieve VERY inhumane treatment? Sorry to mess with you all's warm fuzzies for PETA and Willie but you're obviously not horse owners.

Posted by: Cara | December 18, 2007 10:33 AM

I really thank willie for being a kind and generous heart and his daughter too! His fame can only help to bring all this nightmare to the fore front, I have contacted my senators in CA by email, about bill HR503, I believe the numbers correct also I would like to mention that my son has had therapy on horseback, so you know there really is something specially wonderful about their healing energy and love that they are able to give he stayed at Sonoma State Hospital for three years and was given this great opportunity he has a brain tumor and epilepsy, please I wish no one to ignore these amazing animals as they have been part of our human history for so many centuries as helpers beasts of burden, and therapists! They must be considered in this manner, not as pet or human food! I just wish all these greedy people the worst for their inhumanity all round the world.

Posted by: patricia carpenter | January 19, 2008 12:40 PM

what the problem now is that all of the horses are going into mexico...thier slaughter methods are even more barbaric than the US's.

Posted by: tez | March 26, 2008 02:51 AM

Yes I agree, the biggest problem is that people are not going to pay to have the vet come out and do it, and then a trucking company to pick up the dead horse. so what is happening, instead of a quick trip to Texas, they go to Canada or worse to Mexico, where they stab the horses in the neck until there weak, and then slit their throats...yeah so much for closing the slaughterhouses...it is worse!
instead people should have concentrated on the transport and treatment at the slaughter house. Horse slaughter will not stop, where do you think all the over 70% of race horses end up before the age of 3?
yep, the slaughterhouse, only now there getting beaten and stabbed to death, I say congrats on your "closing of the horse slaughterhouses" And say good luck to all the people out of a job.

Posted by: esther | April 1, 2008 04:13 PM

I wish that people were only allowed to post on here that have REAL experience and knowledge of what it takes to take care of a horse. Now that PETA and Willy have closed down slaughter houses in TX, these same animals will be shipped to a more horrible death in Mexico! The focus should be on humane methods opposed to disallowing it.
Or is Willy and PETA going to take in these animals that people no longer want or can afford?

Posted by: Lisa Q | May 19, 2008 06:26 PM

This is sad because now the horses have been taken to mexico were there slaughter is sick

Posted by: alicia kent | June 5, 2008 01:08 AM