Willie Nelson Reneges on Horse Adoption

SUMMERVILLE — Willie Nelson and his family will not adopt the two horses saved from starvation in March, according to his daughter Amy Nelson. 

Whisper and Traveler were rescued in March from . Both equines were starved, and Whisper suffered kerosene burns. 

Dwight Benjamin McCloud was fined more than $5,000.

The horses were placed in the care of LEARN, a Charleston-area nonprofit that specializes in livestock.

Shortly after Whisper and Traveler's rescue . But Amy Nelson said now the family cannot take the horses.

"Regretfully we are unable to adopt Whisper and Traveler due to lack of resources for proper care. My dad has over 70 horses to care for, as it is now," Nelson wrote to Patch. "We feel it would be irresponsible of us to take on Whisper or Traveler at this time. We do wish them and the ones who care for them the very best."

Nelson was going to use Whisper and Traveler's story to advocate for humane treatment of equines, something he has championed for years, according to Amy Nelson. 

LEARN's Elizabeth Steed said that while she's disappointed about the news, she knows Whisper will find a great home where he can help others.

"He's destined to do something more fabulous than he's already done here," Steed said, adding that Whisper has already touched many of the volunteers and visitors with his "amazing" presence. 

"This horse, there's something very special about him."

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

Updated 3:40 p.m. July 20 to add comment from LEARN's Elizabeth Steed.