Beer and Riding?

Question

Whats with all the negativity to beer and riding? Maybe its just the crowd I ride with (mostly bull and Bronc rodeo types) but in a string of 10-15 riders you won't find a saddle bag that doesnt have at least a iced down 12 pack. Maybe its a age thing most of us are from 40-60. and dont laugh at our ages I still am competive in bull riding and a 50+ friend a couple of years ago finished in the top 5 bronc riders at the OK city natl champ.
So why all the negative to beer and riding? Hell Why all the negative to smoking and riding?

I am not talking about riding on public streets or competing drunk (God knows it would make those falls softer though)
And I never complain about getting hurt I am proud of my scars, I earned every one of them.

Texas you think the bull thing might be why people look at me funny and often say. Man you aint right........
Can't say we get trashed but we seem to be actually less competive after a six pack and more relaxed.
And heck we are always beer or not comparing our latest horses and who's is better. and it usually ends up in sober stupidity you know like standing up in the saddle of a barely green broke horse just to show you can, Or kissing a fresh BLM mustang and wondering why you have a blood blister the size of Texas on the end of your nose. LOL the stupid sober stuff scares me alot more than the buzzed relaxed stuff

Well I am heading out to the barn, going into my office and open the refrigerator that is packed with beer, PoP the top on a cold one and toss some new Straight country in the CD player (How about them cow Girls and drink a toast to Texas,Lisa and all you Gals out there that tolerate us red necks and cowboys)
Starlight once again you remind me how this old ball of dirt we spin around on got so screwed up :) I suspose you would rather have a vegetarian, turd burgler, tree hugger be your kids hero. Your call.
Me id rather have some good old beer drinking, tobbacco smokin saddle bums be there for my boys to look up to.

gotta pop the top on one for 76chaser, cindi and Raise It.
The whole reason I ask this question was I had a riding date last night. The lady knows I smoke, She knows I drink beer. But she totally freaked out when I put the beer and ice in the saddle bag and freaked even worse when I rolled a ciggarrette on the horse before we took off......She got so offended she left and didnt even bother to de tack her horse.
Teach me to ask a city girl out for a country night. LOL. Storm didnt like her anyway :)

Answer 1

I know where you are at on this one. I did rodeo and yes, the rough stock riders usually were the ones doing the stupid stuff. One too many kicks to the head! LOL I personally like saddle bronc riders so don't think I am picking on you because I am not. But, when you get a bunch of drunk guys on horses, what happens? "my horse can beat your horse" I know it happens, been there done that got the tattoo. So when some get caught doing this it puts a bad light on all the rest of us that do it and you get your negative crap. The saying goes "one rotten apple ruins the whole bunch". You bull riders are a different breed altogether! LOL
The smoking part comes from things that can catch on fire and most people don't smoke and think it is just so horrible and disgusting that they will do anything to make you feel bad about doing it. I don't care what they say, I do what I want and %*^& on the rest of them.

EDIT...X that report was from 76-86..that's a long span there! good grief and the bank guy was just too funny!

EDIT: yes, stupid sober stuff will get you every time, but then you can't blame it on the beer! haha You know your a redneck when you say "Hey ya'll, watch this!" LOL

EDIT AGAIN: haha Those of us that like to have a beer and cig, lets get together and have one heck of a ride!!!! WOOHOO Those that don't, sorry for your bad luck!

ONCE MORE: If Storm didn't like her then you didn't need her! Teach you won't it. LOL

Answer 2

I ride with a group of friends (we call ourselves the Saddle Bags). Unfortunately, with our busy lives, we don't do it often. Once every 1-2 months or so, we saddle up, ride to the nearest bar, about 4 miles away, eat lunch, have a beer, then get one for the ride home. We've been doing it for years-we never get drunk, only have 1 or 2. Maybe you're right, it is an age thing, we're all in our 40's and 50's. I don't advocate getting trashed, then riding, but it's no different than drinking and doing anything else. Sometimes, none of us drink alcohol, or only some of us do, when we go.

Answer 3

I'm with you 10000000%!!!
Personally, I think nothing of grabbing a six pack and going for a walk. -I gotta get one of those saddle bags that you can ice down a 12 pack in like yours!!! That would be much better!
The other day a friend asked me how long of a walk it was to the local swim hole (or ponds), I unconsciously answered about 3 beers. lol -and yes, I have mastered the cigeret and beer in one hand and the other hand on the reins! -getting tallented in "my" old age.
I'm not sure if it's an age thing or not. Mabe just that you get old enough to figure out how to relax your way. You realize that you "deserve" to to what you want and have a good time doing it while you can!
Of course there are the politically correct nose up anwsers on how its wrong or dangerous -whatever -as long as our 4 legged buddies aren't getting hurt, I say CHEERS!

On the thought of getting a ticket for drinking and driving (that being one of the most absurd things I have heard lately), Texas has an open container law -I wonder if that would apply to riding with a beer in hand. Must be some really bored cops around!

***texasnascarcowgirl, you crack me up!

*** AHHH!! I Love the bank link thats great! Where's the bridle? Mabe the horse is making a "human" bank deposit?

Answer 4

My husband actually got a ticket for riding and drinking. He was on our horse Whiskey we were outside of our property and a cop came up saw the beer in his hand and "pulled" him over. Told him he could not be "drinking and driving" because in ND where we live now a horse is considered a mode of transportation which is why he got the ticket. I didnt see a big deal about it I'd rather he be on one of our 5 horses drinking then behind the wheel of a car drinking!

I should add that when my husband and I ride he only has 1 maybe 2 beers max he's not sucking down a 6 pack and he doesnt get drunk but still a horse is deemed a mode of transportation, its an old law still on the books

My nephew tried out bullriding when he was 17 scared the hell out of me to be honest. I have much respect for anyone to be dumb enough sober to get on one but to get on one while a little intoxicated I wouldnt advise. I think people will look at anyone weird that choses to get on an animal that is so large one hoof to the head can end their lives. I dont think its an age thing personally. 17 or 54 anytime you get on one there is a chance you may not walk away.

OH yeah and when my husband went to court over his "ticket" I thought the judge would laugh it out of his court room but he took it very serious my husband had to serve 15 days every other weekend Friday night through sundaynight til it was completed and a fine. We have over 1000+ acres but were going to visit our neighbor about 2 miles away when he was stopped

Answer 5

Its not an old age thing trust me. I am 21 and my friend and I do the same thing. We get all our stuff packed up go to the mountains for a few day. I dont think any one remebers to bring water just the beers or whatever any one else is drinking. Your goin out to have a good time why not a have a drink or two you cant crash a horse into a tree or make it jump off a cliff. The horse wont kill itself. I dont know why people get all in a huffy about crap like that there are bigger things to worry about or they are just jealous because they are missing out on the time of their lives. Please people its the ones that get totally wasted and fall off their horse and dont have any judgment. They ruin it for the people that want to get a little buzz while riding.

Answer 6

I think it is the same thing with drinking and driving - it impairs your judgement. If you are just going out riding, getting drunk and doing whatever, think about what you could do to yourselves or your horses. I don't see the problem with going out for a little picnic with some alcohol, but drinking to excess in any situation is probably not a good idea. My friends and I used to go on "big girls" trail rides at the barn where we boarded - we iced up our tequila and margarita mix and some snacks and had a good time. That doesn't mean we got wasted and jumped back on our horses, though. I think in moderation it is okay.
As for the smoking thing, I don't see the problem with that. The only issue right now might be throwing a finished cigarette into some brush and catching it on fire, since there is a drought (at least where I live). I have friends who smoke and ride with no issues. I have never had a problem with them doing so.

Answer 7

Couple of things wrong with beer and riding - they're the same for drinking and driving - or drinking and 4-wheeler accidents. Your judgment is impaired. Period.

That said, After nearly 50 years on a horse I've seen it all - and have the scars and injuries to prove it. The most serene, calm and gentle pony will spook for no reason. If your judgment is impaired, you won't be able to react quickly or accurately and someone (usually not you - usually a dear loved one) will get hurt. Talk about ruining my day.

Same problem with smoking and riding - a flick of hot ash can burn down the barn or start a prairie fire. Neither of which would be intentional - but stupidly destructive nonetheless.

Here's a true story -

I used to skydive with some of the hardest partiers I'd ever met - put it simply, we're talking some real risk-taking, ball-busting partiers here. On jump days, however, everything was done by the book and by the numbers. Everyone was stone-cold sober. Not a beer in sight - ever. Why? Because you die when you make a mistake.

And in my youth - I was a pretty good rodeo-gal too. Funny how everyone was pretty relaxed throughout all the other events - up until the bull riding. They did that event "by the numbers" too. No joking, no foolishness, no horseplay allowed - all business. Why? Because a 2000 lb bull will gladly split open your guts if you're not careful - or are impaired.

I learned a lot about priorities from those guys. And as a bull-rider, you should have learned some as well.

The more risk involved (and equine sports are among the riskiest sports) the more sober you should be.

And if I catch you smoking anywhere near my barn - I'll put you off the property.

Answer 8

It does impair your judgment, and if you're not thinking completely clear before you set foot in the saddle, you're putting yourself and the horse in danger. If you can handle alcohol well, maybe it's not a big deal, but drinking excessively or someone who doesn't have a high alcohol tolerance around horses isn't a safe situation. Horses can be dangerous enough as it is, and when you're not in control you're just creating a situation where you'll be more likely to have a bad fall or lose control of the horse.

And why the negativity to smoking and riding? I'd think this would be obvious... fire and horses don't mix. There's too many things around a barnyard that are highly flammable. Pretty much every barn I've ever been to had a no smoking rule. And if I were a horse I sure wouldn't want someone sitting on my back flicking cigarette ashes around. I don't even like standing near someone who's smoking, the smoke gives me a headache, and I've had ashes blown in my eyes before which doesn't feel good at all.

Answer 9

It all boils down to this . . . do you drink responsibly or do you get plastered? My gut feeling says you are on the responsible side. I personally think it has alot to do with extrememists trying to label everyone the same because of the action of a small percentage of the people.

We had a young reporter move into our small town. She came into our quiet, comfortable community with ideas of how she was going to make us into a better world, to include labelling our entire volunteer fire department as a bunch of alcoholics. (It didn't help that oru local newspaper was bought by a major extreme liberal corporation.) If we were to believe what she wrote, one beer would make a 250-lb man legally drunk and these "drunks" were screaming through town in the fire trucks, fighting fires totally inibriated, and putting the entire community at risk. I see the same thing happening with other aspects of society -- someone trying to punish good people for the actions of a smaller group of irresponsible people.

I drink. I ride. And not one cop down here will write me a ticket for drinking. Well, except in this one town I know of where open containers are illegal. But a ticket for an open container is still not a drinking ticket.

Answer 10

I have been on weekend trail rides and we camp for a night. Many people would have beer or some type alcohol. It safe to an extent if a person drink reasonable. But, this one guy. I think he was downing a beer every 30 minutes. He was falling off his horse and people would laugh. But, a friend and me were saying he going to break his neck before it was over. But, luckily the guy lived to drink another beer. His horse looked at him like he was an idiot. LOL!