No alcohol for those on horseback? (rating, toxic, DUI)

[nitram]

As someone else mentioned it could be a liability situation where the bar owner doesn't wan't to be sued by someone who has had too many and fell off the horse and broke a leg, or worse, brain damage. The drunk doesn't take responsibility for themselves and sues the bar for damages etc. We are a litigious society you know.

[DewDropInn]

Originally Posted by John1881

Can you please help me understand something. I was recently in an Arizona town and in two different restaurants noticed a sign that read "This establishment does not serve alcohol to anyone on horseback" or something to that effect.

We eat in Cave Creek at the touristy joints and I've never seen a sign like that. And I have seen people have a beer or two and ride home.

Great. Now when I go to Frontier Town to get my salsa I'll be looking on all the doors.

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

I haven't seen that anyway - then again, I have no desire to ever be on a horse again (although the last time the one redeeming aspect was tying the horse up to a post to have a pub lunch in Wales which of course included beer)

Maybe a liability issue where their insurance policy wouldn't respond in the same way to a horse as it would to a vehicle or non-motorized vehicle

I second this opinion.............in this litigious country filled with greedy lawyers..........well, everyone has to cover their A**.

[AZJ0SH]

You can get a DUI for operating ANYTHING while drinking. I got a DUI riding my bike home from the bar when I was 21, I tried to fight it, but the law prevailed. I was smart enough not to drive home, and was perfectly fine to ride my bike, but not according to the breathalyzer.

[locolobo13]

Originally Posted by AZJ0SH

You can get a DUI for operating ANYTHING while drinking. I got a DUI riding my bike home from the bar when I was 21, I tried to fight it, but the law prevailed. I was smart enough not to drive home, and was perfectly fine to ride my bike, but not according to the breathalyzer.

A bicycle is considered a "vehicle" according to the law. The horse is not.

In essence, I agree with you. I would rather have somebody under the influence on a bicycle than a motor vehicle. There should probably be some sort of consideration for that offence.

OTOH you can CAUSE an accident while drunk whether on bike or horse.

[R_Cowgirl]

I know cowboys who ride their horses to the bar for the simple reason that if they are overserved, they know the horse will get them home. When you think about it, the horse is "driving" -- not the cowboy. So as long as they don't serve the horse, they should be in the clear.

IMHO the sign was a joke. There are all sorts of fun signs in places in Arizona, especially out in the areas where the pony express used to ride through.

Here are a few signs I've seen in bars...
"There's a $5 charge for Whining."
"Cowboy Parking Only. All others will be branded."
"Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder"
"Beer: Because Your Friends Just Aren't That Interesting..."
"In an emergency, just call 357"
"24 Hours in a Day, 24 Cans in a Case. Coincidence? I Think Not."
"Cow Tipping Illegal in this Bar."
"Free Beer! Tomorrow."
"If You are drinking to forget, please pay in advance."
"No alcohol served before 5pm. It's 5 o'clock somewhere."
"Many have eaten here, few have died."
"NOTICE! Thank you for noticing this notice about Noticing our Sign."
"Swimsuits are optional in this bar"
"Toilets out of order. Please use third tree from the Left."

[John1881]

Thanks! Love the sign quotes!

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by locolobo13

A bicycle is considered a "vehicle" according to the law. The horse is not.

In essence, I agree with you. I would rather have somebody under the influence on a bicycle than a motor vehicle. There should probably be some sort of consideration for that offence.

OTOH you can CAUSE an accident while drunk whether on bike or horse.

I guess you could be a danger to yourself and other on a bike while drunk. But, wow...........the difference between a bike and a motor vehicle is big........maybe a less severe punishment is in order.

[hardtail]

Here is a sign at the O.K. Cafe (the one with the big buffalo head on the wall) in Tombstone. Like someone else said... take anything you read in Tombstone with a grain of salt.

[Peg Fife-Bell]

I think it's a matter of liability ... a drunk rider on a horse isn't likely concerned about responsibility ... himself/herself or the animal they are riding...

As mentioned before... horses are flight animals and as such can and will do strange things when least expected.. a drunk rider is likely to loose his/her seat in a case like that and could get seriously hurt....

DUI in horse back? I'm not certain about that... could be construed as public intoxication and as such garner a fine same as having an open container of beer or some other intoxicating beverage...

As a horse owner and rider... and many times riding to/from a bar, and on bar sponsored trail rides, I've never been stopped for being intoxicated on my horse, nor do I know anyone who has, but that's not to say it doesn't happen either...

My two cents worth...