Photo Credit: Madeleine Rosenthal / Horse Haven of Tennessee Rescue
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country music icon and passionate animal advocate Miranda Lambert announces her MuttNation Foundation’s 2025 Idyllwind Award, honoring Horse Haven of Tennessee in Seymour, Tenn. with a $25,000 donation. The Idyllwind Award, named in honor of Lambert’s first horse, Idyllwind Ellund, annually recognizes an outstanding U.S. equine rescue or sanctuary that rehabilitates and/or rehomes horses that have been neglected, abused or abandoned, while also educating the public about the difficult conditions these horses face.
Photo Credit: Horse Haven of Tennessee
“One thing that really stood out about Horse Haven of Tennessee is that they’re available for emergency equine rescue to all 95 counties in the state – that’s huge, and, of course, the amazing work they do to help rehabilitate and rehome the animals that come into their care.”
– Miranda Lambert
“At Horse Haven of Tennessee, every rescue begins with hope, and the Idyllwind Award helps turn that hope into healing,” notes Ashley Ford, Executive Director. “This support strengthens our ability to rehabilitate neglected and abused horses, giving them the care, safety, and second chances they deserve. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and the impact it will have on the equines who rely on us.”
– Ashley Ford / Executive Director of Horse Haven of Tennessee
Lambert introduced the Idyllwind Award last year at the Boot Barn x Wonderwest 2024 Fashion Show. This year, Boot Barn – which serves as the exclusive retailer of her lifestyle brand, Idyllwind – held a donation-at-checkout campaign in September with 100% of funds raised supporting the Idyllwind Award horse rescues.
“At Boot Barn, we believe upholding the traditions of the West means caring for everything that makes the life possible – especially the horses that define so much of the Western Spirit, Miranda Lambert’s commitment to equine welfare echoes our dedication to supporting all those who live and breathe the Western lifestyle. We’re proud to join her in recognizing organizations like Horse Haven of Tennessee and the life-changing work they do for equine rescue and rehabilitation.”
– Stephen Loscko, VP Marketing and Media at Boot Barn
Lambert, one of the most passionate and celebrated animal advocates, has championed shelter pets her entire life. Her deep affinity for horses grew more serious when she began showing in 2014. In 2024, she won a Blue Ribbon at the 2024 Oklahoma State Fair for her Gypsy Vanner horses.
“The bond is unlike any other,” she shares of what makes horses so special. “It’s a complete and mutual trust – there’s no other word for it – just love.” She currently owns six horses and two dogs, plus several cats, goats and chickens.
The Idyllwind Award is administered by the MuttNation Foundation, a donation-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
About MuttNation Foundation Founded by Miranda Lambert and her mom, Bev, in 2009, MuttNation Foundation is a donation-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has raised over $11 million in support of its mission to promote the adoption of shelter pets, advance spay & neuter and educate the public about the benefits of these actions. MuttNation provides support through the MuttNation-Tractor Supply Relief For Rescues Fund to shelters and supporting organizations in times of natural and man-made disaster and supports spay & neuter through the MuttNation “It Takes Balls” program. MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert, a pet line of toys and supplies that benefits the Foundation, is available exclusively at Tractor Supply Company stores throughout the U.S. The Idyllwind Award annually honors a horse rescue that helps rehabilitate and rehome horses that have been abused or abandoned.
About Miranda Lambert Critically acclaimed groundbreaker/songwriter/superstar Miranda Lambert has defined her multifaceted career as an artist, entertainer, entrepreneur, advocate and businesswoman with an unflinching quest for excellence, honesty and conviction. Current GRAMMY-nominated single “A Song To Sing” with Chris Stapleton arrived as the biggest streaming debut of her career, with Rolling Stone praising its “dreamy disco groove and lovestruck devotion.” Her 10th solo studio album, the GRAMMY-nominated Postcards from Texas, available everywhere now via Republic Records, continued her unbroken streak of 10 consecutive Top 10s on the Top Country Albums chart. The most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history, including their top honor for Entertainer of the Year, she has also won three GRAMMYs and 14 Country Music Association Awards. A TIME100 honoree and perennial best-of-the-year list maker at the New York Times, TIME, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Stereogum, People and more, NPR has called her “the most riveting country star of her generation.”
A multi-dimensional superstar, she’s earned seven No. 1 solo albums, 10 No. 1 hit radio singles, more than 80 prestigious awards and countless RIAA certifications; conquered Las Vegas with her twice-extended Velvet Rodeo residency; blurred genres with Leon Bridges, the B-52s, Loretta Lynn, Enrique Iglesias, Sheryl Crow and Elle King; and delivered her LGBTQ+ inclusive anthem “Y’All Means All” for Netflix’s “Queer Eye.” Lambert has taken those standards to become a label co-founder, teaming with longtime collaborator Jon Randall to launch their own imprint, Big Loud Texas, in partnership with Big Loud Records. She is also a New York Times bestselling author and the first female restaurateur on Lower Broadway with her Tex-Mex cantina Casa Rosa, while also expanding her creative reach with her Wanda June Home collection as well as Idyllwind, her western clothing, accessories and footwear brand at Boot Barn. Her passion for rescue animals inspired the creation of her MuttNation Foundation, which has raised over $11 million since inception to promote adoption, support shelters across the country, advance spay & neuter and assist with the transport of animals during times of natural disaster.
About Boot Barn Founded in 1978, Boot Barn is the largest and fastest-growing lifestyle retail chain devoted to western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories in the U.S., with more than 465 stores in 49 states and an e-commerce channel consisting primarily of BootBarn.com, Sheplers.com, Idyllwind.com, and CountryOutfitter.com.