DUIs and Horses
Some equestrians like to drink and ride, especially over long holiday weekends. While most people think DUIs are reserved for motorists, horseback riders can actually be charged, too.
You can get a DUI, short for Driving Under the Influence, for operating a number of vehicles. While some, like cars, may seem obvious, you can also get charged for operating bikes, lawnmowers, and even horses! Some states differentiate between different types of DUIs, including DWIs and OWIs.
Fun fact: you can get charged with a DUI in over half of the states for riding a horse while under the influence.
Source: Canva
The Definition of a DUI
The most common definition of a DUI, an abbreviation for Driving Under the Influence, is the crime of driving and/or operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Vehicles You Can Definitely Get a DUI While Operating
Turns out DUIs are for more than just cars. Here are some additional vehicles you can receive a DUI related to:
- Bicycle
- Golf cart
- Boat
- Lawnmower
- Segway
- Moped
- Tractor
- Anything electric (bike, scooter, wheelchair, etc.)
- Snowmobile
- Horse (in some states)
Source: Canva
The Gray Area
It’s important to note that laws can vary widely from state to state, so what’s illegal in one can be a gray area in another—like whether or not a horse counts as a vehicle.
Acronyms
DUI vs. DWI vs. OWI
Each state has different impaired driving laws, and not all states feel that DUI is the right (or even the best) term. DUI, or Driving Under the Influence, encompasses both alcohol and drugs.
DWI, or DUI, Driving While Intoxicated, applies more to alcohol than drugs. OWI, or Operating While Intoxicated, is often interchangeable with DUI.
Source: Canva
DUIs By State
| State | Can You Get a DUI on a Horse? |
| Alabama | YES |
| Alaska | YES |
| Arizona | NO |
| Arkansas | YES |
| California | YES |
| Colorado | NO |
| Connecticut | NO |
| Delaware | YES |
| Florida | YES |
| Georgia | YES |
| Hawaii | NO |
| Idaho | YES |
| Illinois | YES |
| Indiana | YES |
| Iowa | NO |
| Kansas | YES |
| Kentucky | YES |
| Louisiana | YES |
| Maine | NO |
| Maryland | YES |
| Massachusetts | NO |
| Michigan | NO |
| Minnesota | NO |
| Mississippi | YES |
| Missouri | NO |
| Montana | YES |
| Nebraska | NO |
| Nevada | YES |
| New Hampshire | YES |
| New Jersey | NO |
| New Mexico | YES |
| New York | YES |
| North Carolina | YES |
| North Dakota | YES |
| Ohio | NO |
| Oklahoma | YES |
| Oregon | NO |
| Pennsylvania | NO |
| Rhode Island | NO |
| South Carolina | NO |
| South Dakota | YES |
| Tennessee | NO |
| Texas | NO |
| Utah | NO |
| Vermont | YES |
| Virginia | YES |
| Washington | NO |
| West Virginia | YES |
| Wisconsin | NO |
| Wyoming | NO |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What states can you get a DUI on a horse?
You could potentially get a DUI on a horse in over half of the states (check out the prior handy chart to see which ones).
Q: Can you get a DUI on a horse and buggy?
Yes! Most states count a horse and buggy as a vehicle.
Q: Is a horse a vehicle?
This answer varies from state to state. Some say yes, as a horse can move a person from one place to another. Others say no because a horse has no motor. Some say yes if the horse is attached to a buggy or other wheeled object (like a cart).
Parting Thoughts
If you choose to drink and ride, make sure you know the laws where you’re at before you do. Aside from being dangerous (to yourself, others, and the horse), it could also be illegal.
P.S. Enjoy this article? Trot on over to:
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- Stable Sense: Horse Barn Terminology for Rookies
- Donkey vs. Horse Nutrition: What’s the Difference?
- 5 Best Waterless Horse Shampoos
