California cop arrests man for drunk driving on HORSEBACK after they found him riding through the streets with an 'open container' of booze

A man on a horse has been arrested for DUI after California Highway Patrol officers spotted him riding through the streets of a small town with an open container of alcohol. 

Officer Kody Brackett noticed the boozy cowboy galloping through Merced, 70 miles north of Fresno, and bucked into action. 

A video shared by the CHP showed the horse walking alongside a police vehicle, which the cops described as 'a display of true compassion.'

Officer Kody Brackett noticed a boozy cowboy galloping through Merced, 70 miles north of Fresno, and bucked into action 

Brackett was seen posing happily with the horse in photos posted to the CHP's social media account on September 10.

This incident serves as a surprising reminder that the state's drunken driving laws also apply to horse riders. 

The California Vehicle Code 21050 reads: 'Every person riding or driving an animal upon a highway has all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.' 

In the social media post, the CHP praised Officer Brackett's commitment to keep roads safe.

'We commend Officer Brackett's dedication to upholding safety standards in all situations.' the CHP said. 

The horse was seen walking alongside the police vehicle in the video posted by the CHP, who said to escort it back was 'a display of true compassion'.

Officer Brackett (pictured) pulled over the rider who was evidently 'impaired by alcohol', arrested him, and posed happily with the bay horse afterwards

The CHP emphasized the dangers of impaired riding, 'even on a horse'. 

Comments on the post are divided, with some appreciating Officer Brackett for his work, while others believe it's a misuse of police resources.

'What a waste of police time, court resources, and arrestee's money. This is completely absurd,' one wrote.  

Another chimed in: 'What would have happened if there had been a serious accident/incident nearby... that police officer was the only one ... to provide the assistance, but he can't because he is escorting a freaking horse home and has a guy who may have had a beer in his backseat.'

Laws regarding DUIs while riding horses vary from state to state, with California being one of the states that prohibits riding horses under the influence. 

Minnesota, Arizona, and Texas do not consider riding a horse while intoxicated as a DUI offense. 

The rider arrested has not been identified and it's not clear what kind of alcohol he was drinking. 

DailyMail.com has reached out to CHP for more information and comments on the arrest.