Kentucky Man Arrested for Riding Horse While Intoxicated

Police found the 48-year-old partially slumped over on the horse as it walked along a road and sidewalk.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:34am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a horse's saddle with a liquor store bag attached, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the incident of a man riding a horse while under the influence of alcohol.A recent arrest for intoxicated horse-riding highlights the need for public safety enforcement, even for non-motorized vehicles.Bowling Green Today

A 48-year-old Kentucky man was arrested on Thursday after police found him riding a horse while intoxicated in Bowling Green. Authorities said Jorge Luis Hernandez had a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and delayed movements, and he admitted to just leaving a liquor store with a bag tied to the horse's saddle.

Why it matters

Riding a horse while under the influence of alcohol poses a serious public safety risk, as the rider could lose control of the animal and endanger themselves or others. This incident highlights the need for enforcement of laws prohibiting the operation of any vehicle, including non-motorized ones, while impaired.

The details

According to the arrest record, police found Hernandez partially slumped over on the horse as it walked along a road and then onto a sidewalk in Bowling Green. Officers said Hernandez exhibited clear signs of intoxication, including a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and delayed movements. Hernandez admitted to just leaving a liquor store and having a liquor store bag tied to the horse's saddle.

  • On March 29, 2026, Bowling Green police arrested Hernandez.

The players

Jorge Luis Hernandez

A 48-year-old Kentucky resident who was arrested for riding a horse while intoxicated.

Bowling Green Police

The law enforcement agency that arrested Hernandez for the incident.

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What they’re saying

“We must enforce laws against operating any vehicle, including non-motorized ones, while under the influence to protect public safety.”

— Bowling Green Police Chief

What’s next

Hernandez is expected to appear in court next week to face charges of operating a non-motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicants.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of responsible behavior when operating any mode of transportation, even non-motorized ones like horses. Impaired riding can endanger the rider and the public, and will be met with strict legal consequences.