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Willie Nelson to Take Burned, Starved Horse

LEARN reports famous musician will bring Whisper and Traveler to his ranch in Texas.

 

Maybe when Whisper arrives in Texas, Willie Nelson will give him a beer. 

The famous musician has agreed to take in the stallion, after Berkeley County Animal Control seized him along with mare Traveler from a man accused of neglecting them. Whisper was not only severely underweight, but suffering from kerosene burns from when his owner allegedly tried to cure a fungus along his back.

Both horses went into the care of Lowcountry nonprofit LEARN (Livestock and Equine Awareness and Rescue Network). 

According to LEARN's Eric Elkins, the placement of the horses was aided by News 2 in Charleston, which made the initial contact with Nelson. The horses will not be moved until they are better.

Elkins reported Whisper has gained about 25 pounds back and pictures show his wounds are healing.

Earlier this month, Dwight Benjamin McCloud was charged with three counts of failure to provide care or treatment for a diseased or injured animal; three counts of failure to provide humane treatment to animals; and one count of failure to provide adequate food and water. He had four horses, but only two were seized. 

According to Elkins, Nelson is using Whisper and Traveler's story to advocate for humane treatment of equines, something he has championed for years. Elkins said Nelson will go to the Capitol soon to tell their story. 

To donate to LEARN, which has about 30 other equines in need, click here

To keep up with all of the news around the Lowcountry, sign up for daily newsletters from Summerville Patch or Goose Creek Patch.

Related Topics: Berkeley County Animal Control, Dwight Benjamin McCloud, and Willie Nelson

Betty

4:52 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

What a great gesture. Thank you for letting us know.

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Ronda Cast

7:08 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Thanks Willie!!! You are doing a great thing!!! Glad you are bring your new horse to Texas!!!

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suzanne O,Brien

7:12 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Way to go Willie. thank you. Pay it forward.

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Mary E. Ritgert

5:47 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012

yes Thank you Willie ,I would love to have such a beautiful horse for work ,I hope he gets back to good health,Mary Gettysburg Pa

Nancy Mansell

7:14 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

KEEP US POSTED !!!! GOOD JOB WILLIE !!

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Linda Sinclair

7:15 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

GOD bless you, Willie Nelson, and all the people who are caring for, and feeding those precious horses. What a crime, to neglect, starve, and abuse them. Do the same to those who harmed them.....fair is fair.....

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Keith Lepley

7:16 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

cool your the greatest willie would love to meet you someday keith from magnolia tx.

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lori

7:18 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Bless their poor hearts. This is such a sad story. I am glad the guy has been charged and also that Willie has agreed to take them.

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Sally Truitt

7:18 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

I can't thank you enough for agreeing to take these poor abused horses. Unfortunately there are so many more that do not get the attention that they deserve. I so wish that we could take in some of these neglected animals, but are feeding many of our own that aren't worth anything (only to us). Because of our beautiful stallions and mares, we own our farm and they have always provided for us. Now we are providing for them'
until it is their time and we will see that they do not suffer any unnecessary pain, and will be buried on our property. God Bless you for your care and concern!

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Edgar Smith

7:21 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Love you Willie and Paula. You have a good heart. A fellow Texan and miss the Picknic days in Austin. I have a home for another horse if needed at my ranch. 972-762-2276

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carol anne clay

4:49 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

wow! great gesture edgar. i wish i was in your position,you are blessed xxxx good luck xxx

joanna

7:23 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Whisper is sure a lovely fellow Willie will you please keep us posted on his recovery I am taking on a beauty also he is possibly blind but a beautiful sorrel overo also

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Ginger peel

7:26 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Seriously I love you & horses too God bless !

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Edgar Smith

7:28 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Ps willie I have a 60s photo given by Big Bill Johnson of you with a crew cut, also an 8x10 of Waylon and an autograph cd and photo of Paula in LR Ark. You are super hope Whisper enjoys the new home. Easy on the beer!

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Phyllis

8:06 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Way to go Willie, with your heart!

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A Thought

8:18 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Burning Kerosene to treat rainrot? What the hell is wrong with people?!

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South Bay Purebred Rescue

11:31 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Do they actually light the kerosene, or does pouring kerosene cause chemical burns? (please tell me they don't light it!)

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Lindsay Street

10:05 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012

South Bay, it is my understanding that the old-time remedy requires a certain, specific dilution of the kerosene, not lighted. In Whisper's case, it was not lighted. The burns are from the chemicals, which were not diluted properly.

Anne Kennedy Rackham

8:19 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

I know people who know you. They said you were just like that. And, so you are. Love and hippie good vibes to you, Anne Kennedy Rackham

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Sheri Burnett

8:20 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

God Bless Willie Nelson!! Thank you for your caring heart!! Love you!

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Teresa Thomas

8:20 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Good job Willie. You are doing an excellent thing for these horses. I've always loved listening to your music and seeing you in movies.

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Dawn Santa

8:55 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Wonderful thing your doing...God bless!

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AL Roldan Jr

9:13 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Horses I always love them your photo give me tears Mr Willie good work your doing,God bless you.

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Kayla Rachel

10:05 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

How beautiful a story -- thanks to all those who put this plan in motion. I cannot help but still feel concern, though, for the other horses still under the neglectful caretaker's thumb. What of the fate of those poor souls?

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Clint Thomas

10:08 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

If all of you congratulating Willie knew of his support of the slaughter ban which caused an epidemic of horse starvation and horse deaths acrossed the U.S. and the giant hit to the horse industry as a whole you'd change your view. I hope he's adopted at least 200 horses.

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Joe Bennett

10:45 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

God Bless you Willie! That is an amazing act of kindness. Horses are such amazing animals. My Mom used to go see you play in San Antonio in the early days, I've always been a fan, she taught me well!

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Tamara Blits

10:56 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

I bet whisper will be so Beautiful. Thanks to willie. God Bless you. There are angels, in this forgotten place.

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Curtis Ironcowboy Lewis

11:15 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Thanks Willie, mighty kind of you, I heard the people weren't even fined or charged. Peace:)

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Pennye Mcferrin

12:00 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

it's God, Jesus and Willie Nelson.. thats Amazing Grace.. btw, to the previous burning kerosene comment, it wasnt burning when applied but rather caused a chemical burn. the use of kerosene and used motor oil are old school treatments for rain rot.

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brenda stover

12:39 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Great thing you are doing Willie. Saw you a few years ago at Hookahville music festival it was my first time there it was awesome. Have always loved you Willie and how you stand up for what you believe in.

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Scott Mc

7:44 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Really only two were siezed? Why would the other two be left there to face the same fate? Thank You Willie Nelson for your kindness!

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Ann

7:59 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Thank you, Willie and thank you Channel 2! If only all the sad stories of animal and people abuse could have such a happy ending.

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CG

8:09 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

My horrible POS cousin was a horse abuser, did the same thing... starved the horse, did not attend the fungus on his back, etc... Luckily Garth Brooks's ex-wife has a ranch in Claremore, Ok. called "WILD HEART." They took the horse & nursed it back to health & now it will live there pemanently. So Thanks to Willie, Mrs. Brooks & all the other people that are kind enough to help an animal that has been neglected or abused by selfish A**holes!!

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ray isaacs

9:44 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

a good heart always shines through, thanks for your kindness.

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CARLEE CUNNINGHAM

10:54 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

THE ANGEL LIGHT SHINES THRU YOU WILLIE NELSON, 'GREAT HEART' , THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO, YOU ARE A TEACHER AND I HOPE OTHERS CAN REALLY SEE WHAT IS POSSIBLE IF THE INTENSION IS RIGHT AND GOOD.......GREAT SPIRIT BLESS YOU ! <3

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susan taricami

11:47 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

God bless you.they need more people to save them

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Lannette Steed

12:16 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Elizabeth Steed is the lady that founded LEARN (Livestock and Equine Awarness Rescue Network) here in Meggett SC. She now has 30 horses she's rescued. She
slept in Whisper's stall with him for a couple of nights to make sure he would make it.
She is needing donations... LEARN, PO Box 619, Ravenel, SC 29470

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joyce wilper

1:25 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

I love willie for his heart ,soul and his beliefs.thank god for willie for taking in those precious horses and getting them away from those terrible people.the horses will have a better life since willie will help them out.god bless you willie!

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Jacqueline Green

1:35 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

You are a Great Man!!! On So Many Levels!!!
Thanks For Having a Beautiful Voice!!! For Those That Can Listen and Creatures that Can't Speak!!!
XOXO

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Julie Speck

2:13 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Willie was always a guy with a big heart, the world needs more like him. Now if we can just get our government to stop allowing our wild horses to be gunned down and processed for food. Do some research, it's horrible what's happening to the majestic animals that helped us settle this country, we should be ashamed of ourselves.

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Lindsay Street

3:30 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Tammy emailed me: "Always loved you Willie...and here's just one more reason why! Thanks for saving these 2 precious souls."

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Nina Buckler Eckhoff

6:42 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Willie Nelson, you are a good man, doing God's work. Thank you!

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Mitch Melody

8:02 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

To quote a song of yours, "my buddy, my pal, my friend" is what these horses, and so many other abused animals, need. Seeing this picture brought tears to my eyes, in a hail storm way, you've always been mine and my pops HERO!

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karen ijames

11:04 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

thank you so much for taking in these bueatiful babys god bless you willey and these horses please keep us posted im an animal rites activest and think the basterd who did this should be hung by his balls and skined alive and even that would be to good for him i wish we could still hang peaple

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Theresa Jo Bovine-Kock

8:42 am on Friday, March 30, 2012

Willie is the best. His recent gesture has just confirmed what I have always thought of him. My love and prayers will be with him always :)

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Jill Getty

12:58 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012

Great job!
How can I help?
Jill in Pa.

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Shari Olson

3:34 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Thank god for people who care. With the cost of hay going up many people are unable to take proper care of their horses but there is no excuse for the cruelty that they have to go threw. If you can't take care of them any longer please find someone who can. Being a horse person and loving them as they are my children I don't understand how you can see that animal everyday just starving. They depend and trust us.

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Debbie Bonomo

8:10 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012

YEAH for WILLIE!!! I am glad. Animal abuse sickens me. My dream in live is to be come a rescue to be the voice of the animals who cant speak for them selves..

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Lindsay Street

10:09 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012

For those wondering what they can do to help, LEARN has several horses that need fostering, adopting and sponsoring. http://www.learnhorserescue.com/

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