Delmar Gentry - Ballad Of The Hungry Horse

 Delmar Gentry has been busy on his horse ranch and his own recording studio producing other artists, so we didn't hear much from him for a spell. Plus, a new development that he's involved in, the subject of this song. Ballad Of The Hungry Horse deals with him rescuing a neglected horse from a farm about 50 miles from his. The local animal cruelty offices contacted Doyle Harseth, as he was a contact member for thew organization when he owned the ranch. He passed on the information to Delmar, and they got involved with rescuing the animal.

The horse is a draft horse, a Percheron. Delmar's got little experience with draft horses, but Doyle has had a few off and on over the years. Doyle kept all the tack and hitches to a big wagon he used to use his draft horses with to do chores around so the rescue was a good fit. Doyle's been working with Delmar with the new member of the herd to help him settle in. Some words from Delmar:

It would've broke your heart to see what we saw when we drove out there to see the horse. Doyle told me that we best take the horse trailer with us. He said if the horse was in trouble he wouldn't leave without him! So we see this tall horse, big hooves like Percheron's have, but he was thin. Way too thin. Able to count his ribs thin! So we backed up the trailer, and proceeded to load him up! We had a document from the ASPCA to take the horse, with or without the owner's consent. No one was around, so we managed to get a bridle and lead on him, mostly because we'd brought a bag of feed with us. Poor guy was really hungry! No grass in the area they had him in, no water. He was really leery of us, but Doyle's got a way with horses, and he managed to coax him into the trailer. Doyle's not a big man, only about 5 foot 6 or so, don't weigh 150 pounds soaking wet with rocks in his pockets, but he knows horses, can think like 'em! 

We got him home, turned him out into the pasture by himself at first. The other horses were curious, came up to the fence, but he stayed far down the pasture. Took some time, but he's one of the herd now. Putting on weight like he should, lets the vet check him over. So I think we got to him before serious trouble started. 

I'm working with the ASPCA lawyers pressing charges against the owner, and it doesn't look good for him! He's got a farm with other animals that they've taken away, and he could be looking at some serious jail time! Arizona does not fool around with animal abusers! 

No doubt we'll here more about this as it happens. And what we know about Delmar (and Doyle second hand) the horse couldn't be in better hands! 

When we first saw him, it was so sad 

He should have been a big noble horse 

Confined in a small dirty paddock 

Decided then to take him of course 

 

We got him home, turned him in the field 

And we just left him alone to roam 

He was skiddish, didn’t trust us none 

Needed time to accept his new home 

 

 Animals should always be happy 

Like any other thing on this earth 

There is nothing that is more sacred 

So we wanted to give him rebirth 

 

He slowly settled down on the ranch 

The vet got to give him a check up 

Had a few health things we took care of

Wasn’t long he started to perk up 

 

He’s a Percheron, a big draft horse 

Ate his way to the size he should be 

I’m a tall man, over six foot tall 

But he towers up way above me 

 

Animals should always be happy 

Folks that do not give them what they need 

Don’t deserve to have them in their life 

Ain’t hard to give water and feed! 

 

Now he looks a lot more like he should 

Gets along with the rest of the herd 

Calm and gentle, like a little lamb 

But he’s a big boy, just take my word! 

 

His previous owner has been charged

 With animal abuse and cruelty 

I’m involved with the prosecution 

Need to pay the price of penalty 

 

So I give ya’ll my sincere warning 

Got critters, take care of ‘em sport! 

Hear of any abuse going on 

I will see your goddam ass in court!