Just like they taught us all in civics class: know your rights, and know whether or not operating a horse while intoxicated could get you a DUI.
The North Carolina man in this video was well-versed in his state’s laws, and was happy to inform everyone around him about the DUI laws. It appears that as he rode through town on a horse while drinking an ice cold beer. His beverage of choice appears to be a Miller High Life, and why not? He’s certainly living the high life… sipping on the champagne of beers atop his trusty steed.
And naturally, the concerned and responsible citizens of North Carolina, in what some would argue are more conventional modes of transportation, stopped to make sure that he was okay. And guess what? This guy was doing perfectly fine as he drank beers, got a little tipsy, and let his designated driver (the horse) lead the way. He found a loophole in the system, and he’s now able to be a modern day cowboy on horseback, drinking beer and casually riding around town as he shares his story.
Which, if you were wondering, is mainly this:
“You cannot get a DUI on a horse in the state of North Carolina. Look it up! Look it up! Now I can get a DUI when I do my buggy, but I cannot get a DUI on a horse.”
And even though he’s “speaking in cursive” thanks to those brewskis, he’s actually right.
When you take North Carolina’s DWI statute, the Tar Heel State does include equine in their definition of a vehicle:
“Notwithstanding the definition of ‘vehicle’ pursuant to G.S. 20-4.01(49), for purposes of this section the word ‘vehicle’ does not include a horse.”
BOOM! There you have it.
So he’s literally 1) obeying the law and 2) living his best life at the same time. It’s always hard to see other people living out your dreams – especially if it’s only just become a dream of yours after stumbling across this video. But anyways, individuals loved the clip of the man on horseback heralding the state’s laws, and left jokes and personal anecdotes in the comment section below the post:
“Depends on the state. In Arizona, you sure can, and I proved it in 1998.”
“But you can still catch a public intoxication charge…while the poor horse gets hauled as evidence to your local animal shelter. Have been involved with prosecuting this exact scenario.”
“The horse has heard that a time or two.”
“But is the horse drunk? Cause that changes everything.”
“This is why laws change ya old haggard goat.”
And it looks like the man is also friendly enough to share his horse with others, if they are to ask. The TikTok user that originally posted the viral video posted a follow up that showed him atop the designated horse, while the legendary North Carolina man instructed him on how to properly steer:
@cbreeezy95 Replying to @Thi’siya ♬ Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys – Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
