LIVING in a regional area like Walloon brings simple pleasures like being able to trail ride and use a horse as transport should you be lucky enough to have access to one.
It’s not illegal to ride a horse on any of Queensland’s roads, even within built up areas, unless otherwise signposted.
In Australia, horses have the same rights as any motor vehicle.
The classification of a rider in Australian law includes anyone who rides a motor bike, bike … animal or animal drawn vehicle.
With legalities laid out above, how about climbing on the horse and going to your local watering hole for an alcoholic beverage or two?
There is a group of Walloon horse riding enthusiasts that meet and ride to the Walloon Pub.
Typically, a 4pm departure after meeting, then as a group they ride through the area before stopping at the pub.
Tethering reins to a hold point outside a pub while the rider goes inside to drink, seems straight out of a western movie.
It no doubt, was common practice Australia wide around 100-odd years ago.
What’s changed is legislation, being over the limit while riding a horse on the road is a big ‘no no’.
No longer would a laughing bar tender lie the drunkard over the saddle and send him off with a slap to the horse’s behind.
Modern man (and woman) are held to a higher degree of accountability.
It’s illegal to ride a horse while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
When meeting up and doing a pub trot, watch your consumption the same as if you’d planned to drive home in your car or on your motorbike.
