15 Responses to “Is It Considered Drunk Driving If You Ride A Horse While Drunk?”

1. LEO53 Says:
   September 18th, 2009 at 5:07 pm

   In some parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania, the Amish reside. If they are in control of their horse and buggy and are drunk, they are charged with DUI. It is quite common actually. The rider passes out drunk in the buggy, the horse knows the way home.
   As for riding the horse drunk, it’s not a vehicle whatsoever, it would just be a public intox charge.

2. Yvette R Says:
   September 18th, 2009 at 6:12 pm

   YES, YOU ARE USEING THE HORSE AS A MEANS OF TRANSPORT RIGHT? BOTTOM LINE YOU CAN GET A DUI ON A HORSE A BIKE A BOAT ECT… IF IT TAKES YOU FROM POINT A TO B AND YOUR ON IT IMPARED THEN YES ITS DUI AND IF THE HORSE IS DRUNK THATS ANIMAL CRUELTY WOULD YOU FEED YOUR HORSE TURPINTINE OR GASOLINE? SERIOUSLY BOTH ARE ILLIGAL FOR GOOD REASON!! A PERSON ON A HORSE DRUNK SAY THEY FALL OFF OR LOSE CONTROL OF THE HORSE OR ANYTHING IS POSSABLE, AND IF THE HORSE IS DRUNK I MEAN COME ON — THE HORSE COULD DIE FROM POISONING…. IT’S SOMMON SENCE!!! GOOD LUCK!!

3. Jacob Says:
   September 19th, 2009 at 12:17 am

   No because you are riding the horse, not driving it.

4. gunsanda Says:
   September 19th, 2009 at 3:37 am

   No. Case law (i.e.: the courts) have ruled that riding a horse while drunk is NOT a DUI.

5. Zorcan from Antares Says:
   September 19th, 2009 at 9:42 am

   Did you ride pass a Stop sign?

6. art v Says:
   September 19th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

   OK first of all this IS one I haven’t heard of before. hahaha
   But first you said the horse was sober, then you said it had too much to drink. How much does it take to get a horse drunk, and what does it prefer to drink?
   If you are actually serious. I would have to say no it’s not DUI since your not operating a motor vehicle, and I’m guessing that your not riding on a roadway? You might be able to be arrested for public intoxication if your state has that law.
   But I don’t really know, I would have to look this one up if I came across it.

7. Anonymous Says:
   September 19th, 2009 at 5:47 pm

   I would say ”yes” to both questions.

8. Pea-Brai Says:
   September 19th, 2009 at 10:35 pm

   Yeah those Amish can really knock em back! I’m assuming the rider is passed out wasted. But what if he was just clip clopping along and came across a safety check point and blew above the limit? I think as long as the horse plays it cool, you’ll be ok.

9. Christin Says:
   September 20th, 2009 at 4:13 am

   Don’t know about if the horse is drunk. However, if the person is drunk… Yes they could be charged with DUI. In my state if you are operating a VEHICLE (does not specify MOTOR vehicle) while intoxicated you can be charged with DUI.
   And yes, I know of a case where someone was charged for that.
   Bikes too!

10. Jason J Says:
    September 20th, 2009 at 9:33 am

    Not in Texas. DWI is operating a MOTOR VEHICLE in a public place while intoxicated.

11. Chris Says:
    September 20th, 2009 at 11:48 am

    Yes it is. I know someone who got a DUI for than and another person who got one for riding a bicycle drunk. If you are drunk, on the road, and not walking or running, they can give you a DUI.

12. Spotted Horse Says:
    September 20th, 2009 at 3:55 pm

    You are in control of a mode of transportation-check with your specific states statutes-I have seen people get tickets riding bicycles and horses-play it safe and drink at home and give him one too

13. AintSkee Says:
    September 20th, 2009 at 5:47 pm

    It would be public intoxication.
    I seriously doubt an intoxicated horse would let anyone ride it…although, I’ve never seen an intoxicated horse either.

14. Jason W Says:
    September 20th, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    It does depend on the state. In some states, there will be older “reckless driving” laws which do prohibit driving animals while intoxicated. In other states, the OUI law applies only to motor vehicles on public ways.
    There is a safety factor with horses, however, since they have their own sense of safety.
    Another advantage of horses is their “autopilot” feature: My great grandfather, after a night at the tavern, would get into his car (carriage) and untie the reigns. He would go to sleep in the back, and the horse would take him back home…

15. trueblue Says:
    September 21st, 2009 at 3:46 am

    Heh, no, this isn’t drunk driving. Once, as a dispatcher I had a citizen report that a group of male subjects were intoxicated, on horseback riding around the city. The laugher didn’t stop for a few days when I put out “Subjects are possibly HBD (has been drinking) riding erratically.”

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